By Bob Scott
Indianapolis Star
July 14, 2010
http://www.indystar.com/article/20100714/LIVING09/7140364/Leader-of-the-Lafayette-diocese-vows-patience
LAFAYETE, Ind. -- Bishop-designate Timothy L. Doherty will be ordained and installed Thursday as sixth bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.
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| "I still remain humbled by the call to serve God and the diocese," says Bishop-designate Timothy L. Doherty (seen May 12, after being introduced as the new bishop of the Lafayette Diocese).Photo by Michael Heinz |
Doherty, 59, will replace retired Bishop William L. Higi, who served almost 26 years as the Catholic diocese leader.
"It is a transition," Doherty said of the change in leadership. "It will require patience. I will be patient.
"I still remain humbled by the call to serve God and the diocese."
The diocese, established in 1944, takes in 24 counties, including the rapidly growing counties immediately north of Indianapolis. An estimated 105,000 Catholics live in the diocese.
"We're very excited about the new bishop," said Steve Craver, a lay leader at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Hamilton County. "We have such high hopes for him."
Higi provided strong leadership as the church has had to face the priest sex scandals that have touched so many Catholics, Craver said. He hopes Doherty continues offering spiritual care and guidance to the victims.
Most of all, Craver said, he wants Doherty to lead the church by setting a strong example for all Catholics.
"I would like for him to continue his deep, prayerful life that we know he has, centering his life around the Eucharist," Craver said.
The 2 1/2-hour installation ceremony will attract a capacity crowd of about 700 people to St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette.
At least 18 bishops will attend the installation, along with two cardinals and two papal nuncios, or ambassadors. Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein of the Indianapolis Archdiocese will preside at the installation.
During part of the ritualistic installation, Doherty will lie facedown on the floor as a gesture of humility and submission as prayers are said by the archbishop and other bishops near the altar. The investiture will include a ring, a miter and a crosier -- all ancient symbols of a bishop's authority.
As the installation Mass ends, the new bishop will give a special blessing to all those who are watching.
Catholic scholar Jim Davidson, West Lafayette, a professor emeritus at Purdue University, said the pope made a good move in appointing Doherty as bishop.
"I think Doherty will come in with his eyes wide open and see things that many of us don't see," he said. "Bishop Higi left the diocese in good shape, better than many dioceses around the country."
Davidson said Doherty's background fits the diocesan needs.
"The Vatican seems to have chosen a person who has good experience in pastoral ministry, a good educational background and (who) does not appear to be somebody who is an ideologue to the left or the right," he said.
"The pope (Benedict XVI) has made a moderate choice, a good choice."
Davidson said Doherty will face the same challenges as other bishops nationwide, including improving the bond between the bishop and diocesan priests, along with keeping younger Catholics involved with their faith.
"The priests must be able to relate to the bishop. Their collegiality to work among themselves is important," he said.
"What will the bishop do with the younger adults? They are less attached to the church than previous generations. They are geared more toward spirituality than organized religion."
President F. Dennis Riegelnegg of St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer said he appreciates Doherty's background in Catholic education. St. Joseph's is a Catholic college.
"He is aware of the issues we face," he said. "Bishop Doherty seems very enlightened and well-informed."
Craver also said he was pleased that Doherty has a strong background in education. Craver, 52, said both of his sons attended Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville, which opened in 2004.
"I'm very excited for Guerin Catholic," Craver said. "It's a wonderful school. The population is exploding at the school."
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