While on vacation this past July, I heard the news of the death of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi. This news surprised me because his death was unexpected and even more so because of my reaction to his passing. I was truly saddened and I felt a great loss for our Church here in the United States of America. My sadness surprised me because I cannot say that I really knew the Archbishop in any significant way. I was with him for liturgical celebrations, the most memorable of which for me was my installation as Bishop of Salt Lake City in March of 2007. I would see the Archbishop at USCCB meetings in Baltimore and from time to time at his house with 30 or 40 other bishops for a buffet supper. But these were only chance meetings and we never talked much. Nonetheless, I feel as though I have lost a good friend and a brother bishop whom I greatly admired. In all honesty, Archbishop Sambi could do no wrong in my book due to the attentive and gracious way he cared for my mother during the days of my installation. He spent quite a while talking with Mom and at the dinner the night of my installation, he made her feel as though she were being the one honored, not me. When I told Mom the news of his death, she instantly responded with, "Oh no, he was such a good and holy man." It is amazing how quickly Archbishop Sambi connected with people. He was an authentic pastor whose care for others was readily evident. To me, he exemplified the virtues of the pastor who rejoices in serving the flock entrusted to his care by Christ, our high priest. Archbishop Sambi was a humble man. Although he served in very distinguished posts such as the papal representative in the Holy Land and here in the United States, he was never arrogant or aloof. He always had time for people and enjoyed a good laugh and a good meal – especially if pasta was included! He was a diplomat through and through and he certainly knew how to conduct himself in the corridors of power but I believe he was most at home while with the people of God, whom he obviously loved with a great passion. Archbishop Sambi was also a man of obvious prayer. His love for Jesus Christ was manifest in every speech, conversation and encounter that made up his ministry to us. He often used examples from the Gospels to bring home his point and he could take the simplest event from the life of Our Lord and make it come alive as only a true friend of Christ could do. It is evident that he spent many hours in prayer nurturing a vibrant and active spiritual life. Finally, Archbishop Sambi was a man of tremendous joy. Teillard de Chardin once said that joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence. God was truly present in the life of Archbishop Sambi! A smile was never far from his lips and he could be seen laughing with his head thrown back on many an occasion. His self-deprecating humor and his deep understanding of human nature gave him an ability to see the humor in life, its contradictions, its inconsistencies and its promise. I used to enjoy Archbishop Sambi’s addresses to the body bishops during the plenary sessions of our meetings in Baltimore. The Archbishop always had an important message that we could take home with us. I remember two in particular. On one occasion, the Archbishop reminded us that Jesus rode into Jerusalem while seated on the donkey. The implication of his metaphor was not lost on us bishops as he reminded us that we are to be humble servants of the Lord in bringing His message to others. On another occasion, the Archbishop reminded us that there were many Church leaders who came before us and many who will come after us. While we have the time God has given us, we are called to do the best we can, with God’s grace. I am going to miss Archbishop Sambi and his humble, loving and joyful presence in our midst. I suppose some would say that if I knew him better I would be more aware of his faults and limitations. Well, that is no doubt true, and I am sure he would have been the first to agree. Still, I would have jumped at the chance to know him better. It’s amazing how deeply he touched so many of us in such a short space of time. May he rest in peace as God now welcomes him into the heavenly banquet, where this short time on earth gives way to eternity.
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