News

Thirteen years as the leader draw to an end

VISITING PEOPLE: During his 13 years in Green Bay, Bp. Robert Banks visited all the parishes and particularly liked meeting children, as he did at the Rural Life Mass in Chilton in 2002. (Rick Evans photo)

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

After serving 13 years as the head of the Green Bay Diocese - including the last two months as diocesan administrator - Bp. Robert Banks will turn over control of the Church of Green Bay to his successor, Bp. David Zubik, on Dec. 12.

Bp. Banks' accomplishments as bishop include writing pastoral letters on the Eucharist and stewardship, visiting every parish, confirming thousands of high school students, starting the Catholic Foundation and guiding the diocese through Renew 2000 as part of spiritual renewal for the new millennium.

	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  • Bishop Banks' Corner --     Giving glory to our Father  • Editorial -- Job well done     Bp. Robert Banks has served the     church of the Diocese of Green Bay     well for 13 years

And that's just for starters. But, he protested, "Frankly, I am not a person who thinks much about accomplishments or legacy, and the past is past."

Those who have worked closely with Bp. Banks over the years, speak of his collaborative leadership, his love of the Eucharist and the church, his support of priests, his enjoyment of sports and his sense of humor.

While the last two years have included legal and media scrutiny of his years as an auxiliary bishop and vicar general in the Boston Archdiocese because of the clerical sexual abuse scandal, observers say he did not appear to let it weigh him down.

Several marveled at the patience and grace he exhibited in trying circumstances. He will say little about it, other than "It's something that happened" and he and other bishops "have to live with it."

Msgr. Paul Koszarek, who served four years for him as vicar for administration, said the abuse scandal was Bp. Banks' "deepest hurt and constant pain.... In Green Bay, he was determined to correct the failures of the past and to do everything possible to prevent them from recurring."

As a result, policies against sexual abuse and harassment were issued and revised and Bp. Banks pledged to follow the national norms and charter the U.S. Bishops approved in 2002 in Dallas.

In retirement - which technically began on Oct. 10 when Bp. Zubik was appointed - Bp. Banks plans to help out in the diocese "where I'm needed," particularly at Holy Rosary Parish in Kewaunee, where he will live in the rectory starting in January.

Bp. Banks was born Feb. 26, 1928, in East Boston, Mass. He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on Dec. 20, 1952, and served primarily in administration in the seminary and the Boston Chancery. He was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Boston Sept. 19, 1985, and was installed in Green Bay on Dec. 5, 1990.

Bp. Zubik, 54, a native of Pennsylvania, has served as an auxiliary bishop in Pittsburgh since 1997. He will be installed as the 11th Bishop of Green Bay on Friday, Dec. 12, in St. Agnes Church.

(Pat Kasten and Jeff Kurowski contributed to this story.)