When Father Paul S. Loverde became an auxiliary bishop in 1988 for the Hartford Archdiocese in Connecticut, he said that the qualities he wished to bring to his new office were clarity and sensitivity. According to his associates, he certainly accomplished his goal.

"He will tow the Church’s line, but will also share the reason why" for the Church’s teaching, said Father John Gatzak, who worked with Bishop Loverde for a number of years. Father Gatzak was previously executive editor of Hartford’s archdiocesan newspaper, the Catholic Transcript, and is currently archdiocesan director of radio and television, a position he had held for 16 years. Father Gatzak’s office produced the broadcast of Bishop Loverde’s episcopal ordination Mass, which was shown live on a Connecticut television station.

"He was a very affirming bishop, who understands and tries to use the giftedness of every individual," said Father Gatzak. "Every now and then we can always use a pat on the back, and he gave that thank you. You are very fortunate to be having him as your bishop."

Bishop Loverde became the first priest in the Hartford Archdiocese’s 35-year history to be appointed a bishop. The archdiocese consists of the counties of Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven, an area of 2,288 square miles, with 223 parishes.

Residing in Waterford, he served the western part of the archdiocese as one of two auxiliary bishops. His primary responsibilities were to represent the archbishop at the local level and assist him a range of administrative duties, as well as performing other functions for the entire archdiocese such as serving on the College of Consultors and presiding at confirmations.

In both his service to the lay Catholics of the archdiocese and interaction with his fellow clergy, he was devoted to people.

"We are fellow pilgrims," said Bishop Loverde. "We are all pilgrims on the road. We have different responsibilities, we may be at different stages, but we are fellow pilgrims."

"He was a model collaborator in ministry. Never did I find him to be bossy or push his ideas. He brought out the best in people, appreciated creativity and anything offered for service of the Church. Truly a gentleman and a scholar, I would welcome the opportunity to work with him again in any capability or capacity," said Father Gatzak. "The ways he worked with people, reached out to them was wonderful. Bishops are quite busy, but he never put anyone off. He was a sensitive, compassionate, caring individual, who put his own needs off on behalf of his co-workers, or anyone he was counseling."

"He had a wonderful sense of humor, which was infectious, contagious," said Father Gatzak. "He possessed a happiness for life; was a man of joy. Always willing to share a laugh, he didn’t take his position or himself too seriously."

Initially assistant to Archbishop John Whealon from 1988-1992, Bishop Loverde served under Archbishop Daniel J. Cronin until 1994.

"He was extremely helpful as an auxiliary to me in my early days in the archdiocese," said Archbishop Cronin recently. He added that Bishop Loverde’s main legacies were that "he was approachable — the priests posed a great confidence in him, such as bringing the problems they were having in their parishes to him — and he was an extremely hard worker. We have kept in contact over the years, which has been mutually beneficial. He has been a help to me and I believe I’ve been a support to him."