By Susan Olp
Billings Gazette
January 17, 2008
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/01/17/news/state/19-bishop_g.txt
GREAT FALLS - The new bishop of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings admits to being a bit of an introvert.
"It's easier for me to talk one on one than in a group," Bishop Michael Warfel, sitting in his office, said Wednesday.
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| Bishop Michael Warfel, center, is congratulated by other bishops as he takes his seat on the cathedra and holds the staff of his office as he is installed as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls, Mont. The Diocese serves 66 parishes in the eastern two-thirds of Montana. Photo by Casey Riffe |
But the balding, bespectacled prelate doesn't shy away from addressing tough issues, and his sense of humor comes through in an interview.
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| Bishop Michael Warfel processes into the church as he is installed as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls, Mont. The Diocese serves 66 parishes in the eastern two-thirds of Montana. Photo by Casey Riffe |
Warfel, 59, arrived in Great Falls from Alaska on Friday. He first came to town in November when his appointment as Eastern Montana's Catholic bishop was announced by Pope Benedict XVI.
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| Bishop Michael Warfel walks past assembled members of the Knights of Columbus before he is installed as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Holy Spirit Church in Great Falls, Mont. Photo by Casey Riffe |
Previously, he served as bishop of the Diocese of Juneau. Before that, he was first a deacon and then a priest at various parishes in the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
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| A priest bows his head during the installation of Michael Warfel as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese. Photo by Casey Riffe |
His total time in Alaska was 33 years, and he admits it was tough to leave the state and the people he loved.
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| The Most Reverend John Blazny, the Archbishop of Portland, left, stands as Bishop Michael Warfel, right, prepares to be installed as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese by Archbishop Pietro Sambi. Photo by Casey Riffe |
"I remember walking out of my home for the last time, my core relationships with people, and just the beauty, the lifestyle of Alaska," Warfel said. "You grow very close to people."
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| Bishops process into the church for the installation of Michael Warfel as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls, Mont. Photo by Casey Riffe |
Part of that has to do with the size of the Juneau diocese, just 6,000 people, a number dwarfed by the 51,000 Catholics in the Great Falls-Billings Diocese. But he said he already thinks Montanans have the same values and character as the people of Alaska.
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| Bishop Michael Warfel speaks before communion during his installation as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls, Mont. The Diocese serves 66 parishes in the eastern two-thirds of Montana. Photo by Casey Riffe |
Warfel said his priority as the new head of the diocese will be to listen and observe. "I don't have any goals yet because I don't know a lot about the diocese, the concerns, the issues," he said a couple of hours before he was installed as bishop.
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| Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, reads the apostolic mandate during the installation of Michael Warfel as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Holy Spirit Church in Great Falls, Mont. The Diocese serves 66 parishes in the eastern two-thirds of Montana. Photo by Casey Riffe |
Over the next few months, Warfel plans to hit the road and visit as many of them as possible.
"This is my year to get out and listen, meet people and develop relationships," Warfel said. "The relationships are key."
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| Bishop Michael Warfel talks with altar servers before his installation ceremony as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese. Photo by Casey Riffe |
There isn't a shortcut to connecting with people, he said, joking that he sees himself as a slow cooker, not a quick-cooking microwave oven.
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| The Tongue River Singers of the Northern Cheyenne, from left, Frances Limpy, Richard Tallbull, Charles Littleoldman, Lee Lonebear and Herbert Bearchum perform during a mass installing Michael Warfel as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. Photo by Casey Riffe |
"If you want all of the flavors to blend together, it takes time and there's no rushing it," he said. "Relationships, they don't just happen."
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| Bishop Michael Warfel gives communion during his installation as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Holy Spirit Church in Great Falls, Mont. Photo by Casey Riffe |
One relationship he intends to maintain is with the Rev. Jay Peterson. In the 18 months after Bishop Anthony Milone resigned, Peterson served as acting administrator of the diocese.
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| Michael Warfel in his office before he being installed as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese. Photo by Casey Riffe |
Warfel said Peterson will resume his previous post as vicar general of the diocese.
"One of the first things I told Father Jay is, 'Don't pack your bags,' " he said. "He's the historical memory for me."
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| Michael Warfel in his office before he being installed as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese. Photo by Casey Riffe |
While bishop of the Diocese of Juneau, Warfel on two occasions had to deal with sexual-abuse cases involving priests. He said the issue is one that happens all throughout society, not just among priests.
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| Michael Warfel in his office before he being installed as the seventh bishop of the Great Falls-Billings Diocese. Photo by Casey Riffe |
But Warfel said should it surface in his new diocese, he won't hesitate to deal with it. Every child must be provided a safe environment, he said, an environment in which no harm can befall him or her.
"Number one, I make sure it doesn't happen," he said. "But number two, if it does happen, I handle it quickly and transparently and very honestly."
To shove it under the rug is inconceivable, he said. "To ignore it, to cast it aside - the only way to describe that is sinful," he said.
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