Fourth Anniversary of Bishop Keating's Death Commemorated

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 3/28/02)

ARLINGTON — Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde placed a wreath at his predecessor’s tomb in the Crypt of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington last Friday on the fourth anniversary of Bishop John R. Kearting’s death. Members of Commodore John Barry Assembly Knights of Columbus Council formed an honor guard for the ceremony.

Following the wreath laying, Bishop Loverde was the principal celebrant and homilist at a memorial Mass. Diocesan priests and staff members as well as Cathedral of St. Thomas More School students joined him.

Bishop Loverde told them he was wearing a pectoral cross priests had given Bishop Keating when he was installed as Bishop of Arlington.

Bishop Keating’s primary concerns were the faith life of the people entrusted to him, Bishop Loverde said. Although Bishop Keating dealt with misunderstanding and his own illness during his 15 years as bishop of Arlington, he also experienced joy and fulfillment in his ministry and administration of his people and priests, Bishop Loverde said. "Both in success and difficulty he always trusted in God," Bishop Loverde said.

Bishop Keating died on March 22, 1998, at age 63 while on his ad limina visit to Pope John Paul II in Rome. He had served as bishop of Arlington since 1983, succeeding founding Bishop Thomas Welsh.

According to the HERALD (3/26/98) at the time of his death, Bishop Keating’s "legacy was a strong Catholic school system and an abundance of young priests." As bishop, he dedicated 20 new churches and seven new schools and ordained 84 men to the priesthood.

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