GRAND ISLAND (NE)
The Independent
By Mike Bockoven
michael.bockoven@theindependent.com
Thousands of people watched live and on television on Monday as the Grand Island Diocese ordained its first new bishop in more than 25 years.
William J. Dendinger became the seventh bishop of the diocese in a ceremony that filled St. Mary's Cathedral to capacity an hour before its 2:30 p.m. start time. Dendinger replaces Bishop Lawrence J. McNamara, who served from 1978 through 2004.
Clergy, members of Dendinger's family and many others from across the state were present for the special ceremony, which included participation by the Most Rev. Gabriel Montalvo, titular archbishop of Celene and apostolic nuncio to the United States, a representative from the Vatican. ...
"I know for sure you have good priests to support you in ministry and many faithful Catholics spread throughout the diocese," he told Dendinger. "You have no diocesan debt and no lawsuits pending. You don't even have any public scandals caused by sexual abuse. Let me tell you this is the truth: You have inherited a blessed diocese."
Posted by kshaw at December 14, 2004 04:29 AM