Posted on 07/31/2003 6:43:39 AM PDT by NYer
With sandals on his feet and a simple robe under his vestments, a humble Franciscan friar took on the task of righting Boston's troubled archdiocese yesterday and began by begging sexual abuse victims for forgiveness.<!ENDSUMM!>
"The whole Catholic community is ashamed and anguished because of the pain and damage inflicted on so many young people and because of our inability or unwillingness to deal with the crime of sexual abuse of minors," Archbishop Sean Patrick O'Malley told a crowd of 2,400 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross during his installation ceremony.
"To those victims and to their families, we beg forgiveness and assure them that the Catholic church is working to create a safe environment for young people," he said.
O'Malley, a 59-year-old Capuchin Franciscan, became the sixth archbishop of Boston after a year of staggering upheaval for the American Catholic church and local Catholics in particular.
In keeping with the tradition of his religious order, he has asked to be called by his first name, and will be known as "Archbishop Sean."
Addressing the congregation in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Creole, O'Malley made it a point to thank "so many priests, so many good priests struggling to make sense out of it all," a remark that drew sustained applause from the approximately 900 priests in the audience.
"But today I tell you Jesus never promised that nothing would ever go wrong, but yes, He promised to be with us in our darkest hours."
Often using humor during his 40-minute homily, he joked about the size of his family, asking those who filled several pews to rise, then telling the congregation: "And these are only the relatives we're talking to."
To a Franciscan leader who had questioned whether O'Malley's previous assignments in the Virgin Islands and Palm Beach, Fla., constituted "a real job," O'Malley asked rhetorically: "Does this count?"
Indeed, O'Malley takes over an archdiocese of 2 million Catholics that has been buffeted by the revelations of clergy sex abuse. Priests have been suspended, Cardinal Law has resigned, and Sunday Mass attendance and financial contributions have fallen off dramatically.
O'Malley called on Catholics to pull together in the aftermath of the revelations.
"To those who have stepped away, I invite you to return to help us to rebuild our church and carry on the mission Christ entrusted to us," he said.
"Discipleship means taking up the cross," he said.
"Salvation is not a cheap grace," he added. "We are bought at a price."
O'Malley was interrupted by sustained applause several times -- none louder than when he sought to put the abuse crisis in perspective.
"Though we live through a sad chapter of the church's history, we must recall that it is a chapter and not the whole book," he said.
The homily touched on several themes that have been prominent in O'Malley's public statements and actions since the Ohio native was ordained in 1970.
The social activist said, "No matter how small the unborn, no matter how debilitated and unproductive the aged and infirm, we must take care of each other."
The bishop devoted to the teachings of Pope John Paul II proclaimed his loyalty to the pontiff and spoke of the importance of prayer in the lives of believers.
The Franciscan friar told Boston Catholics, "As your archbishop, I am your shepherd. As a friar, I am your brother, and I have come to serve you, to wash your feet, as Jesus says."
O'Malley had asked for a scaled-down ceremony, and despite considerable pomp there were fewer bishops and cardinals than would traditionally attend. The only cardinals present yesterday were James Cardinal Stafford, an American stationed in Rome, and Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras.
The pope's chief delegate to the United States, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, presided over the installation. Calling O'Malley a bishop of "unfailing charity and unbreakable integrity," Montalvo said the Boston archdiocese is "in search of solace," and O'Malley will minister "with the meekness of a good shepherd."
Montalvo also exhorted those assembled to remember that in Boston, "the faith has been strong, not only in words but in deeds."
The congregation included ecumenical leaders. Several said afterward that they hoped O'Malley would continue the good relationships Law had established.
"Hopefully this is a new day for the Catholic church and the ecumenical community," said Metropolitan Methodius, a Greek Orthodox leader.
The Rev. Diane C. Kessler, executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, said she hoped O'Malley could help heal the Catholic church in Boston. "Any time there's a woundedness in the life of the ecumenical community, all of us feel it," she said.
Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas Finneran said upon emerging from the cathedral that O'Malley's installation marked "an important moment for the Archdiocese of Boston and for the larger church . . . the end of a chapter, I hope."
The Rev. Eugene Rivers, a prominent Protestant street minister, said O'Malley delivered "an extraordinary and inspiring address."
The Rev. Robert Bullock, leader of a group of priests that was sometimes critical of Law, called the pope's pick of O'Malley for Boston "a splendid assignment."
Among priests, Bullock said, "there's a feeling of great hope and great optimism."
And O'Malley's remarks resonated with abuse victim Gary Bergeron.
"For the first time in a long time I may have seen a church official speak from the heart," he said after O'Malley's homily.
"For the first time in a long time I may have seen a church official speak from the heart," he said after O'Malley's homily.
An excellent beginning!
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He attended Harvard as an undergrad and went to Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He is a fervent Evangelical and runs a program against teen violence which is no touchy-feely Kumbaya seminar but a fire-and-brimstone, get-right-with-God crusade which some cops say has helped reduce violent crime in inner-city Boston by 17%.
This preacher isn't some Spong-style joker.
Sometimes we are unable to see what good comes from suffering, but in Boston's case, Archbishop O'Malley's installation is definitely something good that has come out of the tribulations the Catholics of Boston have endured. Boston is blessed. Deo gratias.
But mentioning the unborn, indeed, mentioning the entire continuum of life, was a beautiful testimony to O'Malley's commitment.
Kerry and Kennedy were seated next to each other. Just before the Offertory, Kennedy stood up and left. We can only conjecture on its significance.
He is truly a gift to the Boston Diocese. There is already conjecture that he will be elevated to cardinal in October. Judging from what I have seen and heard from Archbishop "Sean" (as he wishes to be called), he will be an unwitting recipient and maintain his Franciscan robe and sandals, regardless.
Even the crozier he chose is made from simple wood. He exemplifies St. Francis, right down to his humility.
Pax et Bonum, Archbishop Sean
Good question.
Archbishop Sean is a member of a religious community - the OFM Capuchin (Order Franciscan Minors - Capuchin). O'Malley is a Capuchin Franciscan monk who lives under a vow of poverty and often wears the brown robe and sandals of his order. (You will notice the brown robe protruding in the above picture.)
It is the diocesan priest, formed by the diocese rather than a religious order, that wears the Roman collar and black suit. Archbishop Sean is only the 2nd bishop to be assigned by the pope to shepherd a diocese.
Okay ... there will be a quizz on this next week :-)
Nothings changed then for Archbishop "Sean" ... lol!
When he "goes out amongst 'um", so to speak, he'll wear the black suit and clerical shirt.
Is this distinction relevent?
Do Catholics withdraw from brethern who do not follow the teachings of the Church?
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