As Retirement Draws Closer, Archbishop Enjoys Ovation
By Peter Smith and Melissa Gagliardi
The Courier-Journal
February 19, 2007
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070219/NEWS01/702190402
A long standing ovation concluded yesterday's noon Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption as the congregation said thank you to Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly for 25 years of spiritual leadership.
It was the last in a series of thanksgiving Masses for Kelly, who will retire when his replacement is named.
"Let me say how much I have loved the opportunity of walking with you these 25 years," Kelly told the crowd during his homily.
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| "Let me say how much I have loved the opportunity of walking with you these 25 years," Archbishop Thomas Kelly told the congregation yesterday at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville. Photo by Bill Luster/ The Courier-Journal |
"We've held each other's hands and we've lifted each other up and I know that better than anyone because I have heard your words of encouragement."
The Rev. William L. Fichteman praised Kelly for his warmth and sense of humor. "He always has the right thing to say at the right time that puts everything else into perspective," he said.
Afterward, Kelly met with well-wishers during a reception in the Undercroft, giving handshakes and hugs as they praised him for his service.
Kelly, who became Louisville's archbishop on Feb. 18, 1982, submitted his resignation to the Vatican last summer, as required upon his 75th birthday. The archdiocese is awaiting word on his replacement, and Kelly has said that decision could take at least several months.
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| Yesterday's Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville was one of seven that Archbishop Thomas Kelly has held around the 24-county archdiocese since last month to mark his 25 years as archbishop. |
The cathedral Mass was one of seven that Kelly has held around the 24-county archdiocese since last month in commemoration of his 25 years as archbishop.
Kelly has drawn both praise and criticism during his tenure.
He has been acclaimed for presiding over the renovation of the Cathedral of the Assumption, for promoting lay ministry and for supporting stronger relations with other Christian and non-Christian religious groups through such groups as the Center for Interfaith Relations.
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| Parishioners celebrated Mass with the archbishop yesterday. A long standing ovation concluded the noon Mass as the congregation said thank you to Kelly for 25 years of spiritual leadership. The retiring archbishop is awaiting the Vatican's decision on his replacement. Photo by Bill Luster /The Courier-Journal |
But he has drawn criticism for allowing some priests to remain in ministry after learning they had sexually abused children. During the Mass, he didn't directly mention the scandal but alluded to "well publicized" failures over the years.
Kelly has said he relied on recommendations from priests' therapists that they were not in danger of abusing again before he placed them back in ministry. That practice ended in 2002, when Catholic bishops approved a ban on ministry for priests known to have abused children.
The archdiocese has paid nearly $29 million since that year in settlements, legal fees and other abuse-related costs.
He has also presided over two major rounds of parish closings and mergers -- the largest of which he approved late last year and will be implemented in the coming years.
Reporter Peter Smith can be reached at (502) 582-4469.
Reporter Melissa Gagliardi can be reached at (502) 582-4117.
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