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	Big Crowd Expected at Bishop's Installation By Gary Soulsman The News Journal September 7, 2008 http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080907/NEWS/809070377 In a transfer of authority that will include Pope Benedict XVI's ambassador Archbishop Pietro Sambi, 25 American bishops and almost 1,000 members of the Diocese of Wilmington, Bishop W. Francis Malooly will become the new diocesan bishop on Monday. The three-hour white-vestment installation is a prayerful, happy and rare event for Catholics in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, said the Rev. Thomas Protack, co-chair of the event with Monsignor John Barres. For the 230,000 members of the Diocese of Wilmington, who are part of the region's largest denomination, Malooly is the ninth bishop in 140 years. "I know so many of the clergy, I believe we'll have an easy transition," said Malooly, a native of Baltimore, who hopes to visit the 58 parishes by February. The 2 p.m. ceremony will be in the city of Wilmington's largest Catholic church, St. Elizabeth, where a Mass will be celebrated after the installation. In his homily, Malooly will apologize for sexual abuse of church members by priests in the diocese, he said. At the end of August, he received a letter from Judy Miller, Delaware director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), asking that the installation not be held at St. Elizabeth, home of the last three installations. The Rev. Francis G. DeLuca, a former priest at St. Elizabeth and other local parishes for 35 years, has been the subject of eight abuse lawsuits and in August was officially defrocked or "laicized." Malooly said Miller makes a good point. But by the time he received her suggestion, it was too late to move the service because the invitations had been sent. "I regret we didn't think about this sooner," he said. Malooly said he won't be surprised if the media ask him about the best-known member of his new diocese -- Sen. Joe Biden, who is running for vice president. Biden, a 35-year member of the Senate, has said he believes in Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life but has often voted in favor of abortion rights. "I'm anxious to have a chance to speak with him as I would any politician," Malooly said at a farewell reception in Parkville, Md., last Sunday. He'll seek to understand Biden's point of view, much as he did with Maryland politicians. And Malooly said that he will share the scope of Catholic pro-life teachings with Biden. A sizable number of Catholics hold beliefs that go against church teachings, the bishop said. "I have to work on everybody, not just Joe Biden," Malooly said. Biden has been invited to the installation, but as of late Friday, Biden's staff still was trying to work out the candidate's schedule so he could attend. Ceremonies begin at 1:15 p.m. with an honor guard of children carrying school banners. They will process from the church onto the front flagstones. Once outside, they will line up to welcome more than 300 people about to process into the church. At 1:30 p.m., bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians and members of Catholic religious orders and service groups will enter the 100-year-old sanctuary cooled for the day with portable air conditioners. Among the clergy will be Archbishop Edwin O'Brien and Cardinal William Keeler (retired), both of Baltimore. Former Wilmington Bishop Robert Mulvee, now retired from the Diocese of Providence, R.I., will take part. At 2 p.m., Sambi, who represents the pope in the U.S., will read Benedict's letter naming Malooly to the bishop's chair, where he will be symbolically seated by Archbishops Sambi and O'Brien. Malooly, 64, has been an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore since 2001 and will be given a crosier or shepherd's staff, to indicate his pastoral leadership. He'll briefly meet members of the pastoral council, lay members who advise the bishop. Malooly replaces Bishop Michael Saltarelli, who steps aside after 12 years. He celebrated his 75th birthday in January and by church law was required to submit a letter of resignation to the pope. Saltarelli says he will remain in residence in the diocese and will assist Malooly when asked. "I'm grateful to Bishop Saltarelli and will call on him, especially when we dedicate buildings he had a hand in," Malooly said. Keeping it simple A goal has been to keep the installation simple, solemn and inclusive, said the Rev. Michael J. Carrier, director of the diocese's office of worship. Readings will be in English and Spanish. And portions of intercessory prayers will be in languages found within the diocese, including French, Nigerian, Korean, Italian and Polish. The 32-member choir has members from 12 parishes. And the music will be performed by instrumentalists, such as timpani and brass. The music will include Gregorian chant, bilingual hymns and the well-known "Holy God We Praise Thy Name," heard in many churches each week, said Brian Wasilewski, chair of diocese music formation. He's coordinating music with Michael Davidson, director of music at the Cathedral of St. Peter. Davidson will be organist for the day. A luncheon preceding the Mass will be held for the bishop's family as well as visiting clergy. To conserve on costs, no reception will follow the service, though Malooly will greet well-wishers. Tonight, the Rev. Joseph Cocucci, rector of St. Peter, will host the bishop at the cathedral for Vespers and a reception with clergy, men and women from religious orders, deacons and their wives. The service is private. Contact Gary Soulsman at 324-2893 or gsoulsman@delawareonline.com.
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