Local

The Holy Father speaks to his bishops

Dave Borowski | Catholic Herald

U.S. Bishops await Pope Francis at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington Sept. 23.

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The bishops wave good-bye to Pope Francis who returns the gesture.

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Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde (right) waits for pope Francis along with Fort Worth-South Bend, Ind. Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades.

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On any normal Wednesday morning, the streets of Washington
and the suburban roads leading into Washington would be
packed with cars, cabs and buses all jostling for space on
crowded streets. But Sept. 23 was no ordinary day. Pope
Francis was visiting Washington, and people heeded the advice
of local and many federal governments to work from home if,
possible.

After being welcomed by President Barack Obama at the White
House and a quick parade around the Ellipse in the
popemobile, Pope Francis changed cars – trading popemobile
for Fiat – and motorcaded to the Cathedral of St. Matthew the
Apostle, the seat of the archdiocese of Washington.

The cathedral is named for the patron saint of civil
servants, a fitting place for official Washington to worship.

The cathedral has played host to several historic events,
including the funeral Mass of President John F. Kenned, and a
Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in 1979.

In the hours before the visit, the choir practiced, musical
instruments were tuned, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
staff huddled in groups and ushers held meetings to plan for
the pope and the bishops.

Usher Kevin Crouch is a parishioner of the Church of the
Nativity in Burke, and he’s been an usher at the cathedral
for 20 years. He was honored to be selected for this special
assignment.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “We’re so blessed to have the
pope come here.”

The center of the sanctuary was reserved for about 300 U.S.
bishops, archbishops and cardinals. Side areas were reserved
for invited guests like USCCB staff, parishioners,
seminarians, novices and media.

One parishioner, Sabrina Diego, sat in a side pew, waiting
for the pontiff to arrive.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “It fills you with joy that he
comes to see us.”

Before Pope Francis arrived, the bishops were brought to the
cathedral in buses. A steady stream of red zucchettos (hats)
and sashes filled the center of the sanctuary. With time to
spare before the pope’s arrival they took photos with their
cell phones and chatted with each other.

Father Rafael Barbieri, cathedral parochial vicar, gave
interviews in English and Spanish. “We are all really
excited,” he said. “We’ve been waiting for this for a few
months. (Pope Francis) is a great inspiration for priests and
all Catholics.”

While he was not part of the official ceremony, he did have a
seat in the sanctuary. If given the opportunity, he said he
would welcome the Holy Father to Washington.

But all this stopped when Pope Francis’ Fiat pulled up in
front of the cathedral. Cameras clicked as the pontiff walked
up the stairs to an eager congregation.

The pope was welcomed by Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, rector.
With the choir singing, the pope walked down the center aisle
as cell phones flashed. He stopped briefly at the Blessed
Sacrament Chapel for a private prayer, then went to the
sacristy to vest for the ceremony.

The Holy Father processed to the altar with the other
ministers as the choir sang “Tu Es Petrus.”

There were hymns, psalms, Gospel readings and prayers. There
was a widely anticipated homily.

“My first word to you is one of thanksgiving to God for the
power of the Gospel which has brought about remarkable growth
of Christ’s Church in these lands and enabled its generous
contribution, past and present, to American society and to
the world,” he told the bishops.

Pope Francis said he appreciated what they do to spread the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. He thanked them for their solidarity
with the Apostolic See and their commitment to the cause of
life and the family.

In addition, the pope thanked the bishops for their
charitable works and the efforts made for Catholic education.

The pope touched on the sex abuse crisis, saying that we all
must work “to ensure that such crimes will never be
repeated.”

He told them that he is not here to lecture or judge them.

“I trust completely in the voice of the One who ‘teaches all
things,'” he said.

He asked the bishops to promote a culture of encounter and
dialogue.

“Dialogue is our method, not as a shrewd strategy but out of
fidelity to the One who never wearies of visiting the
marketplace, even at the eleventh hour, to propose His offer
of love,” he said.

The bishops were encouraged by Pope Francis to confront the
challenging issues of our time.

“The innocent victim of abortion, children who die of hunger
or from bombings, immigrants who drown in the search for a
better tomorrow, the elderly or the sick who are considered a
burden, the victims of terrorism, wars, violence and drug
trafficking, the environment devastated by man’s predatory
relationship with nature – at stake in all of this is the
gift of God, of which we are noble stewards but not masters,”
said the pope.

Before concluding he offered two recommendations. The first
was to be part of a fatherhood of bishops. Bishops must be
pastors close to the people, he said, telling them to be
neighbors and servants. He told them to support their
priests.

His second recommendation was one close to his heart –
immigrants.

He called them pilgrims.

“So do not be afraid to welcome them. Offer them the warmth
of the love of Christ and you will unlock the mystery of
their heart. I am certain that, as so often in the past,
these people will enrich America and its Church,” he said.

After the ceremony, Pope Francis met with a few of the
bishops, and then left the cathedral. He said he was sorry he
couldn’t meet each one individually.

“He was challenging, uplifting and beautiful,” said Brooklyn
Auxiliary Bishop Paul R. Sanchez.

Bishop John Michael Kudrick of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy
of Parma, said that the pope

touched on many points, but for him it was his comments on
bishops being fathers and to support their priests that
resonated.

The bishops gathered on the front steps of the cathedral and
as Pope Francis drove by, they raised their arms and waved.
From the back seat of a Fiat, a white-sleeved arm returned
the gesture.

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