New US archbishops grateful to receive palliums

Last updated on: June 29, 2012 at 11:06 pm by CNA Daily News

New US archbishops grateful to receive palliums 2012-06-29T23:06:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rome, Italy, Jun 29, 2012 / 05:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop-elect Samuel J. Aquila of Denver said he was deeply thankful to be among the dozens of new archbishops to receive a pallium from Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on June 29.

“When I went up to receive the pallium I truly felt humbled thinking 'who am I to be receiving this great gift, this sign of unity with the Holy Father and to be receiving it from Benedict XVI,'” he told CNA moments after departing the papal ceremony at St. Peter’s basilica.

Archbishop-elect Aquila was one of 43 new metropolitan archbishops to receive the pallium from the Pope upon the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The woven strip of white lamb’s wool symbolizes the authority given to an archbishop by the Roman Pontiff.

The 61-year-old will be installed as Archbishop of Denver at the city’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on July 18. After a decade as Bishop of Fargo, North Dakota, he will be returning to the archdiocese where he was ordained a priest in 1976.

He explained how upon receiving the pallium his heart “was just filled with joy and also deep awareness of the Father’s love” that had called him to serve the people of Denver.

He also drew inspiration from a nearby statue of Our Lady holding the Christ Child that sits to the left of the high altar in St. Peter’s basilica.

“Just knowing of her protection, knowing of her love for me, and seeing that and really entrusting things to her too my new diocese that I will be going to in July,” said Archbishop-elect Aquila.

Joining him for today’s ceremony was his predecessor in Denver, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia. This was, in fact, the second time he has received the pallium, the first coming on his appointment to Denver in 1997.

He told CNA that he found today’s occasion “easier than the first in terms of being relaxed and not being nervous.”

“So I was able to focus on praying for my people, my priests and all the issues we have in Philadelphia,” he explained, “so I carried them in my heart and in my mind and in my prayers today at Mass.”

The two other American clerics honored with the pallium today were Byzantine Archbishop William C. Skurla of Pittsburgh and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore who found himself caught up in conversation with Pope Benedict.

“The Holy Father remembered that Baltimore is the oldest archdiocese in the United States, without any prompting from me, and we spoke a little bit about the heritage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore which was very warm and very personal,” recalled Archbishop Lori.

He explained how his new pallium will be “a source of endless meditation” as it symbolizes “the solidarity, the communion of the Church in Baltimore and the Province of Baltimore with our Holy Father.”

He also views it as a reminder of “Christ the Good Shepherd who lays the sheep upon his shoulder and brings them to safety” but who also “became the lamb of sacrifice” and that “his yoke is easy and his burden is light.”

Europe

Uncategorized

Previous Post

June 29, 2012

Cardinal Schönborn asks dissenting priests to renounce manifesto

Next Post

June 30, 2012 Archbishop Fulton Sheen beatification could come 'very quickly'

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Jesus give to Judas at the Last Supper?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A scroll A robe A piece of bread A cup of wine