Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, in his first public appearance as spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Louisville, led priests and deacons in a prayer service yesterday and called on them to proclaim Catholic teachings firmly but with love.Kurtz, who will be formally installed tomorrow but was already at work yesterday, gave a short, conversational talk to the clerics during a service of Vespers, or evening prayer, at the Cathedral of the Assumption.
"It's very fitting that we would gather on our first occasion to pray," Kurtz said of the service, which included a series of hymns, chanted Scriptures and a Latin choral anthem and is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, which priests and deacons pray each day.
"To pray the Liturgy of the Hours reminds us not only of our call to pray for all the faithful, but together to pray for the world," he said.
Between such sentiments, Kurtz used humor, much of it at his own expense, to introduce himself to the clergy he now leads.
The former bishop of Knoxville, Tenn., who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in June to succeed Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, joked, for example, that his first test as archbishop was to learn to use a clip-on microphone.
He added that he feared that if he said there was something wrong with the mike, the congregation would automatically voice the liturgical response, "And also with you."
Kurtz also noted that he has been praying for Louisville priests by name for the past several weeks, using a photo directory to match faces with names -- except that the most recent version he had in Knoxville was from 2000.
"I've been praying for a younger version of each one of you," he said. "I hope you're praying for a younger version of myself."
Speaking on the day's Scripture reading, he called on priests to live out their gifts "in a way that calls for unity in truth, and in charity."
"In truth," he continued, "that we will always embrace the gifts of our Catholic faith and teach and proclaim those gifts with accuracy and devotion. And in charity, that we will not be tempted to simply gather with people with whom we are initially comfortable, but rather we will always reach out to each of those with whom we serve."
Kurtz also paid tribute to Kelly, who received a lengthy standing ovation from the clerics, and said Kelly had spoken highly of the priests, telling him, "You will love them."
Priests afterward said Kurtz has made a positive first impression.
"He's very down-to-earth, hands-on," said the Rev. Bill Fichteman, pastor of the cathedral, where Kurtz will live in the apartment Kelly had used for many years.
"He moved in Friday night and was all over the place Saturday," Fichteman said, roving about to meet people such as those in an archdiocesan choir that was practicing for the installation.
"He seemed to be very joyful, which is nice to see in a priest and in a bishop," said the Rev. David Naylor, pastor of St. Aloysius in Shepherdsville and St. Benedict in Lebanon Junction.
"Genuineness and compassion -- that's what I hear in him," said the Rev. Dale Cieslik, pastor of St. Leonard and St. Frances of Rome churches.
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