By Kelly Mcbride
Green Bay Press Gazette
July 10, 2008
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/GPG0101/807100684/1206/GPG01
Most Rev. David Ricken will be installed Aug. 28
The new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay choked up as he talked about leaving his Wyoming diocese but expressed excitement for the move during his formal introduction Wednesday.
The Most Rev. David Ricken will be installed as the 12th bishop of the Green Bay diocese on Aug. 28. Ricken, 55, has served as bishop of the diocese of Cheyenne for nearly seven years, and Wednesday met with media during his first trip to Green Bay.
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| Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, left, introduces the Most Reverend David L. Ricken as the 12th bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay on Wednesday. H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette |
"Hopefully I was able to bring to the people a sense of love and dedication to Christ and to the church," Ricken said, his voice trembling as he spoke about the people of Cheyenne, "you know, a sense of hope. Today our world is bankrupt of hope because people often can't see the light."
But Ricken also is looking forward, he said, preparing to learn more about a diocese several times larger than the one he's leaving.
The Cheyenne diocese — which encompasses the entire state of Wyoming — has about 50,000 Catholics. The Green Bay diocese has more than 345,000 in the 16-county district.
Ricken said he put about 40,000 miles a year on his car traveling to parishes for confirmations or weekend visits.
"Here, it's going to be a lot easier to get to the parishes," Ricken said, "but there's also a lot more of them, a lot more Catholic people. (I) probably won't be able to have that really familial contact with people I had in Wyoming, but I hope to get somewhere near there, so that we can feel we belong to the same family, we're headed in the right direction."
The Green Bay diocese has been without a bishop since Sept. 28, when former Bishop David Zubik was installed as the head of the diocese of Pittsburgh.
Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan has been serving as apostolic administrator in the absence of an appointed bishop.
Both Ricken and Zubik are hard workers, Dolan said, but the latter has perhaps a better aptitude for the administrative work that comes with being bishop.
"I think (Ricken's) going to be the kind that finds it hard to be at the desk, because he wants to be out with the people all the time," Dolan said. "There might be a difference there. Bishop Zubik was able to balance that beautifully. … (Ricken)'s going to have to handcuff himself to the desk, because he just wants to be outside with the folks."
In Cheyenne, Ricken is known for his commitment to education and social justice — as well as his propensity to crack a joke, said the Rev. Mike Carr, vicar general of the Cheyenne diocese.
"He has a great sense of humor," Carr said. "He is a man who wants to move and accomplish things and further the love of God among his people."
Green Bay's new bishop also serves on the Bishops' Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, a body responsible for advising the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on child and youth protection.
Ricken has learned a lot during his tenure with the group, he said, and reiterated his commitment to protecting Catholic youths in the wake of the sex scandals that have rocked the church.
Peter Isely, Midwest director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, sent a letter to Ricken on Wednesday, urging the bishop to "make child protection your first and lasting priority as bishop."
SNAP plans to issue five benchmarks prior to Ricken's installation, urging him to take specific actions against abuse during his first 100 days on the job, according to a news release from the group.
Ricken's first trip to Green Bay was a short one. He and Dolan drove Wednesday morning from Milwaukee, and he was scheduled to fly out that evening.
Dolan on Wednesday expressed confidence in Ricken, whom he said would be a great fit for any diocese — but especially for Green Bay.
"I think he's a pro," Dolan said, "and I was not surprised by his choice, and I was delighted. I think (they) were looking, for the diocese of Green Bay, an energetic, missionary-type bishop, a guy who's not afraid to get out with the people and sweat and work and visit. And he's our guy."
Contact: mcbride@greenbaypressgazette.com
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