New Bishop "Not Going to Mess around with" Philosophies of Lincoln Diocese
By Erin Andersen
The new bishop of the Lincoln Catholic Diocese, James D. Conley has no plans to change the conservative philosophies and practices established by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz. Conley, auxiliary bishop of Denver, was named the ninth bishop of the Lincoln Diocese Friday. He will assume the role held by Bruskewitz since 1992. “I have held the Diocese of Lincoln in high esteem. It is rich with vocation, Catholic education and family life. I am not going to mess around with that,” he said during Friday’s news conference announcing his appointment. “I plan to continue to build that up and encourage it.” With Conley’s assignment, Pope Benedict XVI formally accepted Bruskewitz’s resignation -- which he tendered in September 2010 on his 75th birthday, as required by Canon Law. “Rome is the eternal city,” Bruskewitz joked, referring to the two-year span between his letter and the appointment of a successor. Bruskewitz will not be allowed to retire just yet. He will continue to lead the diocese as apostolic administrator until Conley is formally installed on Nov. 20. Conley is a native of Overland Park, Kan., and a convert to Catholicism. He is of Wea Native American descent. Conley served as a priest for 23 years before his episcopal ordination, including 10 years of service to the Pope as an official in the Vatican Congregation for Bishops in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him auxiliary bishop of Denver in April 2008. Conley and Bruskewitz have been colleagues and personal friends for more than 15 years -- becoming acquainted while Conley was in Rome. Conley said his episcopal motto is that of 19th century English convert John Henry Cardinal Newman, “cor ad cor loquitur,” which means “heart speaks to heart.” “As our hearts begin to speak to one another, that all of us may encounter the love of Jesus Christ,” Conley explained. Conley said he grew up Presbyterian, but acknowledged his religious leanings were more agnostic back then. “I was basically a happy pagan -- indifferent to God and religion,” he said. While in college, he studied in the University of Kansas’ Integrated Humanities Program, a classical books program. The second year of the program was dedicated to reading the works of Christian authors -- and Conley said he found “truth, goodness and beauty” through Catholic literature, music and art of Catholics and came to embrace the Catholic church. “I never realized or intended to be a priest or a bishop,” Conley said. That came several years later. Following college graduation, he and some fellow students started farming in northwestern Kansas. “It was there that I discerned my call to the priesthood and left for the seminary,” Conley said. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita, Kan., in 1985. Since then he has served the church as pastor, college campus chaplain, director of Respect Life ministries, theology instructor, Vatican official and bishop. He has devoted much of his career to guiding young people in their faith. Conley said he intends to continue that work -- as well as sharing his Catholic faith with those who are not Catholic. He is a regular guest on the radio program “Catholic Answers,” which targets an entirely non-Catholic audience. Bruskewitz has been a priest for 52 years, serving as a pastor, seminary teacher, Vatican official and bishop. During his tenure as Lincoln Diocese bishop, Bruskewitz added four parishes, built four Catholic schools, opened St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward and Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton. Under Bruskewitz’s leadership, the diocese opened Paul VI Heights, a diocesan-sponsored affordable housing development in Lincoln, in 1997; Camp Kateri Tekakwitha near McCool Junction in 2001; and St. Gianna’s Women’s Homes for abused women in Lincoln in 2011. The Diocese of Lincoln completed the sponsorship of Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in 1995. Bruskewitz also re-initiated daily Mass at all diocesan elementary schools, and updated the curriculum for all Catholic schools and CCD programs in 2009. Sometimes controversial and always conservative, Bruskewitz was revered and reviled for his unyielding orthodoxy and ultra-conservative views of God’s word and expectations of the Catholic Church. In a 2010 interview with the Lincoln Journal Star, Bruskewitz said he was not a dictator but an instrument of God. “God rules the diocese and I am just his instrument,” he said. “... I do think bishops have, by Catholic doctrine, the three-fold duty to teach, to sanctify and to govern the Catholic people … in spiritual matters.” Conley appears to share those views. “Bishop Bruskewitz has been a true champion of the Catholic faith and personal hero of mine for many years,” Conley said Friday. “Nebraska is known for its steadfast defense of life, especially unborn life; for civil and religious liberty; for traditional marriage between a man and a woman; and strong family values. I am not yet bishop, but I am proud of this state.” However, make no mistake, the new bishop is still a University of Kansas Jayhawk at heart. “I will remain a Jayhawk basketball fan forever,” he said, after Bruskewitz placed a Nebraska cap on his head. “But I am excited to be in Husker country. Having been on the receiving end of football dominance ... I am happy now to be on the other side of the ball.” Reach Erin Andersen at 402-473-7217 or eandersen@journalstar.com
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