Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 3/25/04)

The Solemnity of the Annunciation on March 25 marks the fifth anniversary of Bishop Paul S. Loverde’s installation as the third bishop of Arlington.

Bishop Loverde, who in his installation homily said that he came "joyfully" and "with great hope" to shepherd the Diocese of Arlington on its pilgrimage to greater "evangelization, reconciliation, unity and service," shared his reflections and hopes for the diocese in a recent interview.

Five years after he declared evangelization "our mutual consolation, our mutual joy, our mutual strength," Bishop Loverde has overseen a wide array of initiatives, some building on the work of his predecessors and others unique to his tenure. Since 1999, the diocese has witnessed the opening of five new parishes, one new mission, the purchase of properties for four additional parishes, the opening of one elementary school and the planning of two new high schools.

"We’ve come a long way in five years, by God’s grace," Bishop Loverde said. "Together with growth comes excitement, challenge and a continual testing of our priorities and mission as Church. My fervent prayer continues to be that we as a diocesan Church on pilgrimage will let our ‘yes’ to God’s will resound throughout Northern Virginia."

Since 1999, the number of registered Catholics has climbed 16 percent to over 391,000 and Catholic school enrollment has increased by 7 percent. After arriving in Arlington, Bishop Loverde began listening to parishioners and clergy concerns about the needs that should be addressed due to the rapid growth in the diocese. In 2000, after the first year, he initiated a more formal planning study for long-term parish and diocesan needs, which led to the first ever diocesan capital campaign, "Rooted in Faith — Forward in Hope." During 2002-03, over $115 million was pledged.

"The campaign pledges are an incredible witness to the generosity of the people of this diocese," said Robert Mueller, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development. "These resources will meet many needs, including the construction of new buildings to better serve our parishioners and the establishment of endowment funds for Catholic school students and teachers, youth ministry, catechetics and Catholic Charities. Bishop Loverde showed great perseverance in this effort as he often stated that the campaign was to help our people grow in their faith," said Mueller.

During his five years in Arlington, Bishop Loverde has overseen the reorganization of the Office of Youth Ministry and the Diocesan Finance Council, the founding of the Young Adult Ministry Office (which has already sponsored over 102 Theology on Tap sessions), the Child Protection and Safety program, and diocesan Review Board and Advisory Board.

In an interview with the HERALD prior to his installation, Bishop Loverde said, "I think as Church we need to find realistic ways to give women the opportunity to preserve the life of their unborn child so they will not choose abortion." On Mother’s Day 2002, Bishop Loverde started Gabriel Project Arlington (GPA) to help pregnant women in need. Since that day, approximately 300 women have been helped through this ministry. Bishop Loverde also oversaw the expansion of the diocese’s Project Rachel Post-Abortion healing program, which has assisted almost 900 individuals since 2000.

Consistent opposition to abortion has remained a fixture of Bishop Loverde’s leadership in the diocese since he led the rosary outside an abortion facility in Falls Church just weeks after his installation. The monthly leading of the rosary at abortion facilities, which he calls a "spiritual weapon to stop the spread of abortion," and the celebration of Masses for life continue to this day.

"Prayer is the center of Bishop Loverde’s life," said Robert Laird, diocesan Family Life Office director. "His example is a constant reminder to us that prayer must be the first and foremost priority of our work for the Church."

The former religion teacher and campus ministry director chose the motto "Encourage and Teach with Patience" when he was named a bishop. "I think that’s the role of the bishop," Bishop Loverde said. "The bishop should encourage, that is, to give new heart to people; to encourage them in living the faith; to enliven them so they can see that in living the faith there is great joy. I just felt that was a good rule of thumb for me and my episcopal ministry and life: encourage God’s people in their faith, but also to teach that faith with patience."

Bishop Loverde will celebrate 16 years as a bishop on April 12 and 39 years as a priest on Dec. 18. The 30th anniversary of the Arlington Diocese will be observed Aug. 13.

Steve Luteran, Catholic Charities director, recalled how Bishop Loverde helped prepare the Thanksgiving meal at the Christ House food pantry last year. "Seeing him in the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves, fixing plates and distributing them to the poor and lonely that day was to me a simple, ordinary gesture, that summarized the entire Gospel for me."