Bishop Honored by Friends of John Paul II

By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 10/24/02)

GREAT FALLS — Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde was honored by the Friends of John Paul II Foundation at its Oct. 20 "Wadowice on the Potomac" celebration at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Great Falls. The annual event recognizes the historic papacy of John Paul II who was born in Wadowice, Poland.

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, papal nuncio to the United States, and Bishop Anthony Justs, formerly a priest of the Arlington Diocese now serving as bishop of Jelgava, Latvia, also attended the affair.

Bishop Loverde said he was "humble and grateful" to receive the recognition. "The Friends of the John Paul II Foundation are committed to proclaiming the teaching of the Church and the writings of the Holy Father," he said.

The bishop said he feels a special bond with Pope John Paul II. "It was he who called me to be a bishop in 1988 for the Archdiocese of Hartford," he said, and later for Ogdensburg and Arlington.

"A bishop’s relationship with the Roman pontiff is unique," Bishop Loverde said. He compared it to that of a younger brother who looks up to his older brother for guidance.

The pope gives unity to the college of bishops and gives direction that is sure, authentic and clear, the bishop said.

"I keep my eyes fixed on him (the Holy Father), who keeps his eyes fixed on Christ Jesus.

"The only agenda I have is the agenda of the Church."

Bishop Loverde said he found reassurance in a recent address given by the pope to a group of new bishops in Rome. The pope encouraged the bishops to be sources of unity in their local churches, pillars of strength and comfort for their priests, promoters of vocations to the religious and consecrated life and preachers of Christ to the world.

"This honor deepens my determination to serve the Church more faithfully," Bishop Loverde said.

Bishop Justs was founding pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. He also served at St. Mark Parish in Vienna and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria before being appointed the founding bishop of Jelgava by the pope in 1995.

He fled his native Latvia with his family in 1944 during World War II. He remained in Belgium to complete his seminary studies after his homeland was annexed by Russia and his parents migrated to the United States. He was ordained in 1962 and served both the Richmond and Arlington Dioceses until 1992 when he returned to Latvia as a seminary professor.

Bishop Justs said Latvia and Eastern Europe and following the Holy Father’s directive to bring the faith and prayer life to the rest of Europe.

"We are poor in Latvia and Eastern Europe but we can offer the prayers and the faith we have."

"I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve in Latvia," he said.

Permanent Deacon Lawrence Ziemianski served as master of ceremonies for the dinner. Mary Flanagan is the current president of the local chapter of the Friends of John Paul II Foundation. Co-chairs for the event were Dr. Robert and Jill Shafer, members of St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

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