By Lee A. Dean
Kalamazoo Gazette
May 30, 2009
http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/05/departing_bishop_sees_a_more_u.html
KALAMAZOO — When the Most Rev. James A. Murray was appointed bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo more than 11 years ago, he selected "Rejoice in the Lord Always" as his motto.
As he prepares to relinquish his duties, Murray says he has abundant reasons to be joyful.
"As I go out of this role as a bishop, I'm grateful not only to God and God primarily, but grateful to so many others," he said. "Our priests, our religious, our laypeople, the people who work here in the chancery (dioscesan office) — you couldn't ask for better."
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| Bishop James Murray speaks to new priest Christian Robert Johnston after his ordination in June 2005 at St. Augustine Cathedral, in Kalamazoo. Murray says he would like to be remembered, in part, for increasing the number of men and women studying for the priesthood and religious orders. |
Murray, 76, will officially become bishop emeritus after the installation of the Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley as the new bishop on Friday. Two days later, Murray will observe the 51st anniversary of his ordination as a priest.
That journey has taken him from his native Jackson, Mich., to become head of a diocese with more than 100,000 Catholics. Along the way, he has had the opportunity to work with two popes, tackle major issues with his fellow bishops and help guide the spiritual lives of parishioners.
"I have met personally with and celebrated liturgy with Pope John Paul II, who is one of my heroes. While I've never met personally with Pope Benedict, I have celebrated liturgy with him and been at events where he's been present and has spoken. Any of that would have been unthinkable prior to becoming a bishop," Murray said.
Murray said he would most like to be remembered for his role in strengthening the unity of the diocese, for increasing the number of men and women studying for the priesthood and religious orders, and for bolstering the Catholic school system.
"I think I see a greater sense of unity," Murray said. "I see it among the priests themselves because you have different ideologies, different ecclesiologies (theological viewpoints regarding the nature and structure of the Christian church).
"They are valid, but they are different. You want to get people to say, 'You can have yours and I can have mine, but we must be united on the essentials.' That's getting stronger all the time."
The supply of priests has been a chronic problem in the U.S. Roman Catholic Church, but the Diocese of Kalamazoo has seen a rise in number and quality of priests, Murray said. When he became a bishop, the diocese had two seminarians, but he has ordained 15 priests during his tenure as bishop. Four more will be ordained in August, and three or four new seminarians will start their studies this fall.
'Very painful' issues
The diocese closed four schools during Murray's tenure, a process he described as "very painful" but one that made the remaining schools stronger.
Murray said the most difficult issue of his tenure was the nationwide scandal involving sexual abuse of children and youth by priests. He served for five years on a United States Council of Catholic Bishops committee that drew up the Charter for the Protection of Youth and Young People.
"Our diocese implemented that charter and made it gospel for us," Murray said. "We're not going to cut any corners or compromise that charter. It's there for the protection of children, and that's got to be paramount for us. By implementing the charter, I think now that probably one of the safest places on Earth for children is in the Catholic Church. We don't often get credit for that."
Positive trends
Murray said he is grateful for two demographic trends of the past 11 years. The first is the steady numbers of Catholics overall, which has kept the diocese from closing any parishes. The second is the increase in the Hispanic population.
"We're trying to make sure they understand they're as welcome as anyone and that this is their church and their diocese. I think we've made some very good progress along those lines," he said.
Once he has retired, Murray plans to be available to fill in for priests who are vacationing or otherwise unavailable. He is learning Spanish to better serve the Hispanic population. He also will be available to help the new bishop, but only on request.
"I told Bishop Bradley that I wouldn't volunteer any suggestions or information. All he has to do is ask, but I won't interfere," Murray said. "He has a rich background and experience, so he doesn't come to this like some rookie."
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