Archbishop Myers Receives Pallium

New Archbishops gather around the altar after receiving the pallium, a circular band of white wool worn around the neck to symbolize unity with the papacy, during the solemn mass marking the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, 2002 in St. Peter's Square. The Pope conferred the pallium to 28 archbishops from around the world on Saturday. REUTERS/Paolo Cocco

New Archibishop of New Orleans holds Pope John Paul's hand after receiving the pallium, a circular band of white wool worn around the neck to symbolise unity with the papacy, during the solemn mass marking the feast of saint Peter and Paul on June 29, 2002 in St. Peter's Square. The Pope conferred the pallium to twenty eight archbishops from around the world. REUTERS/Paolo Cocco

archbishop Myers and brother archbishops

Archbishop John J. Myers receives the sign of his authority and responsibilities from the Holy Father.

Archbishop John J. Myers, second from left, is shown with 27 other bishops from around the world prior to the conferral of the pallium by Pope John Paul II.

Vatican City - Archbishop John J. Myers received the pallium from Pope John Paul II during recent ceremonies at the Vatican.

The circular band of white wool and six crosses symbolizes the Archbishops' authority and unity with the Pope and was presented on the feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Among the archbishops from 18 countries was one other American, Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans.

The Holy Father told the new archbishops to put their trust in God when the Church undergoes times of difficulty.

"The Church is continually put to the test," he said during a Mass in St. Peter's Square for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul June 29.

"Whoever trusts in God, liberated from every fear, feels the consoling presence of the Spirit even, and especially, in moments of trial and pain,"he said.

Reading his homily in a strong voice, the Pope said the message of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles martyred in Rome, was "clear and eloquent: By the grace of God, man is able in every cuircumstance to become a sign of the victorious power of God."

"For this reason, he must not fear," the Pope said.

The pontiff sat as the archbishops, dressed in brilliant red vestments, came up individually to receive their palliums, which he placed over their heads with the assistance of two aides.

"It was a very moving moment," Archbishop Hughes said. "He thanked me."

Of all the new archbishops, the Pope lingered longest - nearly half a minute - with Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of Mother of God in Moscow, a church territory upgraded to an archdiocese in February. The Pope smiled and animatedly gestured several times during their brief conversation.

The Vatican's decision to create the Moscow archdiocese and three other Russian dioceses chilled relations with the Russian Orthodox Church and drew criticism from other Orthodox churches, concerned about alleged Catholic expansion in traditionally Orthodox countries.

Nonetheless, as in years past, the Mass was attended by a three-man delegation from the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople, this year headed by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Belgium. In his homily, the Pope said their traditional presence was a "providential moment" on the way to full communion.

Also attending the liturgy was a Bulgarian Orthodox delegation headed by Metropolitan Simeon of Central and Western Europe. Addressing them at the end of the Mass, the Pope recalled his visit to Bulgaria in May and invoked "celestial blessings on the faithful of that dear nation."

Both delegations approached the Pope for a fraternal embrace, and Metropolitan Simeon, with a smile on his face, planted a kiss on the frail Pope's right temple.

The 82-year-old pontiff presided over the Mass' Liturgy of the Word, but sat to the side while Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, celebrated the rest of the Mass. Gathered around Cardinal Sodano at the alter were the new archbishops, many of whose faces glistened with perspiration in the late-afternoon, Roman summer heat.

The group of archbishops who received the pallium included two Canadians: Archbishop Emilius Goulet of Saint-Boniface, Manitoba and Archbishop Anthony G. Meagher of Kingston, Ontario. Archbishop Andre Richard of Moncton, New Brunswick, could not be present for the ceremony.

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