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Q & A with Father Ricardo Bailey

The story, “God called me,” starting in this issue on page three, originally ran in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2003, right before Father Bailey’s ordination on June 7. As we approach the one-year anniversary of Bailey’s ordination, serraUSA caught up with him for an update on his first year of priesthood.

serraUSA:

Father, last year you were the only African-American diocesan priest ordained in the country. Why are so few African-Americans responding to this vocation?

Father Ricardo Bailey:

Because there is a lack of evangelization in African-American communities. There is not the same compassion and enthusiasm used to recruit these vocations as in the suburbs. Not many resources are available; there is a lack of interest due to fear. . . That is, many people in those communities are profoundly influenced by the fundamentalist interpretation -- or misinterpretation -- of what Catholicism is all about. Some will say that there is no sense of joy in a Catholic church; they are socialized to persist in that collective ignorance. But if you go to a Catholic Mass, you will see that joy, that compassion, and that enthusiasm!

serraUSA:

When the Atlanta Journal-Constitution story was published, you were training to become a police chaplain. How much closer are you to fulfilling that dream, and what will it entail?

Father Ricardo Bailey:

It takes time; I have to be ordained for at least two years before I can be assigned. Unfortunately the Georgia Board of Police Chaplains doesn’t recognize deacons as a level of ordination. I am training under my mentor, Msgr. Edward J. Dillon, and once he believes I’m ready, it’ll happen. This won’t take place of my parish work, it will be in addition to it. I’ll get to ride around with police officers, pray with them and give them support.

serraUSA:

Pretty soon, you’ll be celebrating the one-year anniversary of your ordination. If you could describe your first year of priesthood in one word, what would that word be?

Father Ricardo Bailey:

“Unbelievable.” I have fallen in love with the priesthood. It went from a calling, a goal, to falling in love with it. I have had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Mass and the Lord’s supper. It is such a wonderful experience to know how God is using you to touch his people.

serraUSA:

What is the most important thing you have learned in this first year?

Father Ricardo Bailey:

To listen to the people of God, because they are the ones who are hungry, who continually form us and challenge us to be ministers of God, to be loving, compassionate men of God.

serraUSA:

Do you believe that we are in a “vocations crisis”?

Father Ricardo Bailey:

To paraphrase from Savannah Vocation Director Brett Brannen, “We’re not in a vocations crisis, we’re in a faith crisis.” People do not fully believe that God truly loves them and God wants to do many and great miracles through them. They believe that they are not worthy . . . Our intellect and faith must be in synch before we can understand what God wants us to do in and through his will. God knows our shortcomings, but the genius of being a Christian is that Jesus makes you strong in your shortcomings. Look at the apostles -- they weren’t perfect. They look good in their marble statues, but they were frail men like us. The Lord is calling -- it’s just a matter of faith to trust in him holistically.

serraUSA:

How did you find out about Serra, and how have Serrans supported you?

Father Ricardo Bailey:

I first heard about Serra when I was in seminary. Father Joseph Doyle, SSJ, was very involved in Serra. Then I saw Serra at a much larger level in Atlanta. The fact that these people, who worked long hours already, would invest further time, talent and treasure in the priesthood, really humbled and touched me profoundly. Serrans have become the best of my friends and in a very real way, my family. They truly love the priesthood. Their affirmation, support, esteem and dedication helps us to be holy, generous and all that we must be to live the Gospel. ?

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