Installation celebrated with dinner

Friday, Jun. 12, 2015

SANTA FE — Pope Francis was toasted and Archbishop John C. Wester welcomed at a dinner following the June 4 Mass of Installation in Santa Fe. 

Cardinal William J. Levada, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, led a toast in honor of Pope Francis, then expressed gratitude that the Holy Father had appointed Archbishop Wester to Santa Fe.

The Most Rev. John R. Quinn, Archbishop emeritus of San Francisco, said that a bishop is the minister of joy and consolation in the Church of God, and he commended these two aspects to Archbishop Wester, “and which he, in his own right, beautifully and powerfully embodies and represents, as I myself can testify from over 35 years of observation.”  

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, described Archbishop Wester as a dedicated priest who “seeks a Church that is hospitable and inclusive” and “has been a significant and clear voice” on national and local immigration issues.

“For the archbishop, the little person matters,” Msgr. Fitzgerald said, adding that “his compassion, his courage to take a stand, his leadership have blessed all of us. His warmth, and gracious manner, his wit and cheerful spirit will certainly be missed [in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.] His tenure will be fondly remembered as one of grace and good will. … Now, if you are ever unhappy, I suggest you box him up, ship him back to Utah COD. We will be happy to pay the freight.”

Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan, who is retiring after 22 years in Santa Fe, said he was proud to hand over the archdiocese to Archbishop Wester.  The fruits of his labor include seven newly ordained priests, 37 seminarians, a financially sound archdiocese, thousands of people coming forward to be confirmed, and a thriving Catholic education environment, Archbishop Sheehan said.

The people of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe represent a mosaic of cultures, customs and languages; they, along with the priests, seminarians, and members of the religious orders, “I give to you, and I ask you please to love them, to feed them spiritually and always to lead them in the truth with – as you said today – with mercy. They have to learn how to recognize your voice, the voice of their new shepherd,” Archbishop Sheehan told Archbishop Wester. 

He assured Archbishop Wester of his prayers and asked for prayers in return, then said he would be available to assist in any way that was needed, “and if you don’t, then I will just travel and rest.” 

In his closing comments, Archbishop Wester said he believed that the evening’s spotlight belonged on Archbishop Sheehan “for all that you’ve done here … for all the sacrifices you’ve made, and all the ways that God has worked in you, and the ways that you’ve cooperated with that grace, with wisdom and strength and peace.”

Speaking to those at the dinner, Archbishop Wester said, “I look forward with hope and great joy to the future with you as together we form this local Church, the Body of Christ.”