Ahead of the installation Mass yesterday afternoon in which Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien was installed, the new leader received a historic gift from his predecessor.Cardinal William H. Keeler presented O'Brien with the pectoral cross used by Baltimore's first archbishop, John Carroll.
At a news conference at St. Mary's Seminary, O'Brien said he would wear it at his installation ceremony at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
O'Brien said it wold be a busy day, but also one of prayer. "We're celebrating our most sacred rite, and that's not the installation -- it's the Mass," he said.
More than 1,800 people were expected to attend O'Brien's installation.
The list included about 70 archbishops and bishops, as well as eight cardinals, including Keeler and Baltimore native Cardinal Francis Stafford, which Vatican watchers say is an impressive turnout.
The list included about 70 archbishops and bishops, as well as eight cardinals, including Keeler and Baltimore native Cardinal Francis Stafford, which Vatican watchers say is an impressive turnout.
O'Brien has held several high-profile posts that allowed him to interact with many members of the Catholic hierarchy.
Before the former military chaplain was appointed to the Archdiocese of Military Services a decade ago, O'Brien served as vice chancellor for the Archdiocese of New York and later as an auxiliary bishop there.
O'Brien has said that after he is installed he plans to travel the diocese to see parishes in Western Maryland first and then the urban churches in Baltimore and elsewhere.
O'Brien also said that he plans to be involved in civic affairs in Baltimore, as Pope Benedict XVI has instructed. "I want to be a good citizen ... not just observe the laws but contribute to the common good."
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Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce