Monday, December 20, 1999
1,000 help prelate mark anniversary
Pilarczyk was made a bishop 25 years ago
BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bishops, archbishops and cardinals ceremoniously make their way into St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Sunday.
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
| ZOOM |
|
In the majestic Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, young and old, Catholic and Protestant lifted their voices in song and sank to their knees in prayer Sunday to celebrate with Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk on the 25th anniversary of his consecration as a bishop.
Flush with pomp, the invitation-only Mass attracted six cardinals, more than 60 bishops and archbishops and nearly 1,000 others.
The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Gabriel Montalvo, read a letter and apostolic blessing from Pope John Paul II.
The music of trumpets and trombones filled the cathedral. Rich tenors and full sopranos reverberated against the marbled walls. The smoke of incense hung in the air.
“What a wonderful thing the Church is,” the archbishop told the audience. “How complicated, how rich, how mysterious, how maddening at times!”
Hospitalized numerous times this year for heart problems, Archbishop Pilarczyk regarded the celebration as a time to give thanks for family and friends. The Dayton, Ohio, native expressed gratitude for those who supported him and those who have complained, for mentors and fellow ministers, and most of all, for God.
“It is good for us to be together,” he said. “We do well to give God thanks.”
The vibrant, well-attended ceremony was a testament to the archbishop's successful reign, said Herman Haller, an association minister with the United Church of Christ for Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
“It was an expression of how people feel about the archbishop, what he means to this city and to the church,” he said.
Archbishop Pilarczyk has promoted education, pushed for unity within the church and among denominations and remained a steadfast adherent to the teachings of the pope, supporters said.
Dr. John and Joan Vester attended the archbishop's consecration 25 years ago. They were back Sunday, praising Archbishop Pilarczyk for his intelligence, clarity of thought and ability to communicate.
As spiritual leader of more than half a million Ohio Catholics, Archbishop Pilarczyk has been able to “keep the tradi tions as well as move into the future,” Mrs. Vester said.
Archbishop Pilarczyk has instilled excitement in the faith, said Connie Hinsley, business manager for St. Columban Church in Loveland.
“When you have a lot of people coming back to the church, something good is happening,” she said.
The challenge for the archbishop — and the church worldwide — is to stem the shrinking number of priests and to encourage more lay ministry within the parishes, said some who attended the service.
“It's going to be tough,” said Cy LeFevre, who came with his wife, Helen, from Fort Recovery, about two hours north of Cincinnati. “It used to be every Catholic family was large and at least one of the boys was encouraged to enter the ministry.
“It's not that way today.”
Ordained as a priest 40 years ago and consecrated as bishop in 1974, the 65-year-old archbishop has an impressive resume, having earned a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati and seven honorary doctorates. He has served as president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and chairman of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy.
He has also written extensively in the Catholic press and is author of 18 books, including this year's Believing Catholic.
In 1982, he took the helm of the Cincinnati archdiocese, which has more than 200 parishes and about 7,500 employees in 19 southwest Ohio counties. With more than 55,000 students in 134 schools over 19 counties, the archdiocese boasts the ninth-largest Catholic school system in the United States.
Shooting cars a dangerous tactic
Missed shots
Are teen drivers getting better?
High air fares getting attention
Toyota sets expansion at Princeton truck plant
1,000 help prelate mark anniversary
Senior center needs $23,000
Donors come through for Tristate's needy
Fireworks to usher in 2000 with bang
City floats water ideas
Handling grief at holidays
Meeting to clear air on Lemon annexation
Old homes a specialty
Tobacco farmers worried
Head Start to weigh report on contract
Lebanon might cut city jobs
No arrest in shooting of two men
Towns hope to share Butler Co. growth
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
