Job well done

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

	S p e c i a l   S e c t i o n : Farewell to Bishop Banks
	• 'Blessed be God Forever'     Bp. Robert Banks retires as the     diocese's chief shepherd and spiritual     leader  • Highlights of 13 years in Green Bay  • Bishop seen as priest-servant     Friends, colleagues, see Bishop as     spiritual, caring  • Bp. Robert Joseph Banks biography  • Accepted the hard times with grace     Bishop believes God at work  • A style that works     Bishop noted for his care and listening     skills  • Timeline of Bp. Banks' years in Green Bay  • College presidents remember Bp. Banks  • Lay Catholics remember Bp. Banks  • Diocesan employees remember Bp. Banks  • Bishops, priests comment on Bp. Banks  • Religious leaders discuss Bp. Banks  • Thirteen years as the leader draw to an end  • Bishop Banks' Corner --     Giving glory to our Father

This week we look back at Bp. Robert Banks' 13 years as our diocesan bishop. While he officially retired Oct. 10 - the day Bp. David Zubik was named as his successor - it's been hard to think of him as retired. That same afternoon, the diocesan consultors elected him as diocesan administrator until Bp. Zubik's installation on Dec. 12.

The canon lawyers can go into the differences between a diocesan bishop and an administrator. Basically, Bp. Banks was still in charge. He continued to keep regular hours in the same office in the Chancery, live in the bishop's house and attend functions.

In another week, a new bishop will be living in the house, working in the second floor office and presiding at Masses in the chapel some weekdays.

But at Holy Rosary Parish in Kewaunee, it still probably won't look like Bp. Banks is retired. He will be living there and serving the parish as a senior priest.

While it will be up to the historians, ultimately, to judge his leadership of the Green Bay Diocese, from here it's a positive picture overall. What stands out most clearly to me was his whole-hearted support of Renew 2000 and how he decided that we as a church would do Renew only after extensive consultations with priests and laity. His hopes and expectations were realized in our diocesan preparations for and celebrations of the Jubilee Year. And Renew continues to bear fruit.

As editor of The Compass, I have appreciated his support of this newspaper. With his help, our circulation doubled during his tenure. That did not mean that we always saw eye-to-eye. We had our differences and there were occasional notes questioning editorial decisions. In fairness, such notes were rare - not even one a year. But they proved he was reading the paper.

Some have faulted him over the clerical sexual abuse issue, but these complaints are focused on Boston, not Green Bay. Here, he oversaw revisions of sexual abuse and harassment policies. He strictly enforced removal of both priests accused of abuse and of previous offenders continuing to serve - actions that earned him harsh criticism from some who thought he should be more forgiving and understanding.

There is another side to Bp. Banks most people don't know. A few years ago, when my mother-in-law was hospitalized with a stroke while visiting Green Bay from Oregon, he went to see her. They had never met. She still remembers him. Such hospital visits are routine for him. He also attends visitations for diocesan family members - and, if possible, he presides at the funeral Mass.

He is deeply concerned about others, once you get beyond a certain Boston reserve. And from what others have said who knew him before he came to Green Bay, living among us in frigid Wisconsin has really warmed him up.

Thank you, Bishop. May your years as a senior bishop be many and happy.