Diocese of Joliet Getting New Bishop, The Beacon-News, May 17, 2011

Diocese of Joliet Getting New Bishop

The Beacon-News
May 17, 2011

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/5437948-418/diocese-of-joliet-getting-new-bishop.html

The Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon, the newly appointed bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, answers questions Tuesday, May 17, 2011, during a press conference in Joliet, Ill. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

The population here is about 20 times larger, but the new bishop sees similarities between his most recent assignment and the Diocese of Joliet.

“Steubenville, Ohio, is a very rural community, but the (biggest) challenges they’ve been facing are the economy and its effects,” the Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon said Tuesday.

Conlon, 62, has served as bishop for nearly nine years. He was ordained in his native Cincinnati in 1977 and has spent most of his career there.

The Joliet diocese announced Conlon has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to replace Bishop J. Peter Sartain, who was transferred to Seattle in December after four years in Joliet.

Conlon will be installed to his new duties by Chicago Cardinal Francis George on July 14 at St. Raymond’s Cathedral.

Conlon first thought of becoming a priest when he was 7 years old and saw his uncle ordained.

“I decided that’s what I wanted to do and that idea never left me,” he said. “I certainly had moments of doubt, but ultimately the Lord brought me to ordination.”

Renewing faith in area

Describing himself as “natural introvert who (somehow) likes being with people,” Conlon said it was Joseph Bernardin, then-Archbishop of Cincinnati, who was most responsible for encouraging him to commit to ministry. Bernardin later became cardinal and led the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Conlon was surprised at being appointed to the Diocese of Joliet, which includes seven counties. He has a passing familiarity with some of the 655,000 Catholics here from spending time with friends from DuPage County, but admits he’s an outsider.

“It will be difficult for me to establish priorities for a community I don’t really know, (but) looking at the statistics we need more priests and looking at the culture we need to try and rekindle a love for Christ and desire to be a Christian (for those who have left the church).”

Dealing with abuse, finances

Conlon said he dealt with reports of sexual abuse by the clergy as chancellor in Cincinnati and was chairman of the policy committee on that issue.

“It has harmed the church and it has harmed individuals. It has to be dealt with openly and honestly. It has to be dealt with fairly. I’m prepared to do that here in Joliet,” he said.

Conlon’s new appointment did not please the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

“We believe that Bishop Conlon still treats victims with extreme disrespect, still quietly moves priests who have complaints against them to new assignments in unsuspecting communities, and does very little to protect kids,” SNAP Director David Clohessy said in a statement. “It’s a blow to wounded victims, vulnerable kids and caring Catholics to see this promotion.”

In Steubenville, Conlon also experienced having to close Catholic schools for budget reasons.

“That’s always very painful. I think schools are one of the best things the Catholic Church does,” he said. “Closing then should be a last resort, but there’s a time when it’s just impractical financially … I think that’s one of the reasons we are organized as a diocese.”