Cardinals, Bishops, and the Pope's Diplomat to Greet Newark's New Assistant Archbishop

By Jeff Green
The Record
November 2, 2013

http://www.northjersey.com/news/230311761_Cardinals__bishops__and_the_pope_s_diplomat_to_greet_Newark_s_new_assistant_archbishop.html

One thousand Catholics, 33 bishops from around the country and four cardinals will welcome Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda to the Newark Archdiocese on Tuesday at a special Mass.

Pope Francis appointed Hebda, 54, formerly the bishop of a rural diocese in northern Michigan, as a coadjutor, or assistant, to Archbishop John J. Myers in September. Myers, 72, said in a press conference at the time that he requested help from the Vatican to run several major initiatives as he and two of his regional bishops near the mandatory retirement age of 75.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit and Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the pope's top American diplomat, will be among the attendees of the welcoming ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, said Jim Goodness, archdiocese spokesman.

As the apostolic nuncio, Vigano plays a key role in selecting new prelates and will read Hebda's letter of appointment.

Hebda will automatically succeed Myers as the Newark archbishop when he retires.

During the Mass, Myers will deliver the homily and Hebda, who left the Diocese of Gaylord and arrived in New Jersey on Thursday, will make some remarks, Goodness said.

Governor Christie, a close confidant of Myers, is not scheduled to attend the ceremony, which is on Election Day, but he does plan to be at an annual Mass for law enforcement officers on Thursday. Goodness said the nuncio's office chose the date for Hebda's ceremony.

Contact: greenj@northjersey.com