FAIRBANKS (AK)
Fairbanks News-Miner
By MARY BETH SMETZER, Staff Writer
An undercurrent of excitement ran high Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church as Bishop Donald Kettler installed its new pastor, the Rev. Mirek Woznica, in a simple, straightforward ceremony at the 5:30 p.m. Mass.
"Pray that God will bless you and your new pastor in a very special way," Kettler said at the opening of the installation service.
Incense and music, packed pews and a standing-room-only crowd combined for a celebratory atmosphere. From time to time joyful applause and laughter broke through the solemnity of the ceremony in the century-old church on the banks of the Chena River.
Heads nodded, and smiles widened when Kettler formally introduced the Polish priest to church deacons, staff members, the parish council, Stephen ministers and the congregation. ...
Just six months ago, Kettler told this same congregation that its pastor, the Rev. Richard McCaffrey, had been suspended from his pastoral duties while an inquiry was conducted, a requisite part of the procedure when a cleric is accused of abuse. Three months later he read a letter to a silent congregation that McCaffrey was relieved from all priestly duties in the diocese following a diocesan investigation.