Tucson Bishop Gerald Kicanas " Inspired" by the Popes Pastoring, KOLD, April 23, 2008

Tucson Bishop Gerald Kicanas " Inspired" by the Pope's Pastoring

KOLD
April 23, 2008

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=8212297

It's been a whirlwind of a week for Tucson Bishop Gerald Kicanas,"every event was filled with a lot of enthusiasm, spirit, energy, it was a very powerful experience." Bishop Kicanas was there, just behind the president and first lady, greeting Pope Benedict the XVI on his first visit to the U.S. as the leader of the world's largest Christian faith but it was more than just a meet and greet.

Bishop Kicanas spent some quality time with the Pope, telling the Holy Father all about the Sonora desert and the people of Tucson, "and he was interested, he wanted to hear more about the diocese, our issues, its challenges, so it was a good opportunity to share our community."

Like a proud ambassador for the Old Pueblo Kicanas invited the Pope to Tucson, "Which he said yes, but it probably won't be a while," he says with a laugh. Between the lighter moments, there were a lot of serious ones during the Pope's visit. The Holy See addressed the sexual abuse scandal within the church and he met privately with victims. Kicanas says he was pleased with how forthright Benedict was, "I think he understood in a deeper way some of the pain those individuals suffered."

Through healing and reconciliation Pope Benedict spoke of the need for hope and a new beginning for the catholic church. Kicanas says he can already feel it, "I refer to it as a kind of new Pentecost, which was the beginning of the church when the apostles went out and tried to bring the message of Christ to others and the enthusiasm in which they do that and I sense that's happening."