A style that works

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  • 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  • Editorial -- Job well done     Bp. Robert Banks has served the     church of the Diocese of Green Bay     well for 13 years

A collaborative leader who asks good questions, is willing to listen others and cares about how decisions will affect them are ways that people who worked with Bp. Robert Banks describe his management style.

While priests, diocesan employees, leaders of religious groups and lay Catholics all know him in different ways, they all speak admiringly of these skills.

Quotable ... "Most rewarding about working with Bp. Banks were his collaborative style of leadership, his ability to listen and understand, his genuine compassion for people, and his sense of humor."     -- Sr. Maureen Ann Shepard, OSF

At the diocesan offices, Sr. Ann Rehrauer, now president of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, Bay Settlement, and formerly diocesan chancellor, said she enjoyed working with him.

"He tells you what he thinks, what he wants. Yet he cares about people so, if it's going to have a negative impact, he finds a way to do it gently. He says what he believes, so you don't have to guess. Every six months, he would ask for a concrete evaluation ... and then he acted on the suggestions," she said.

Many spoke of his willingness to collaborate.

Sr. Maureen Anne Shepard, president of Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, especially appreciated the on-going dialogue he had with the sponsors, administration, and faculty representatives of the two local Catholic colleges.

Quotable ... "He's a real respecter of people. A good judge of people and a real respecter of their talents."     -- Fr. Willie Van de Loo

"During these dialogue sessions, held twice a year, Bp. Banks listened, questioned and shared," Sr. Shepard said. "As a result, the sessions were fruitful, not only for Silver Lake College, but for the entire higher education community in the United States."

Bp. Russell Jacobus of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, applauded his "ongoing support of ecumenical efforts in the northeastern part of Wisconsin."

Bp. Jim Justman of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, also a partner in the covenant between the Catholic, Episcopal, ELCA and Methodist churches, agreed. "Bp. Banks has been a strong colleague and friend to me in my life. I know that he prays for me and upholds me as a brother in Christ. Bp. Banks has actively supported ecumenical dialogues and celebrations that lift up our oneness in Christ."

	Quotable ... "My only two complaints against Bp. Banks are these: - He regularly beats me in our yearly golf outing; - He has a Packer game named after his Office in the pre-season. I asked the Packers if I could have one and they just chuckled. Now is that fair? Ha"     -- Bp. Jim Justman, East Central Synod of Wisconsin, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Diann Wimmer, diocesan director of Worship, expressed gratitude for his support of the Liturgical Commission, whose members represent diocesan parishes and institutions.

Because of his challenging questions, "We found ourselves turning to the documents and studying carefully," she said, while his "support has moved us to prayer and a deeper liturgical spirituality."

Fran Frigo of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, De Pere, who worked with Bp. Banks as a member of the Corporate Board of Notre Dame Academy, Green Bay, said he "always conducted a well organized meeting within the allotted time, yet encouraged all board members to express their opinions and concerns."

Auxiliary Bp. Robert Morneau said his "example of decision-making, undertaken with utmost seriousness, and his collaborative style have truly impressed me and has enriched our church."

Fr. Willie Van de Loo, former Vicar for Priests in diocese, said he was impressed that "whenever we had ideas, he wanted to know how it would come across to the people, the priests. He was a really good communicator. Once we had a message, he never tired of using that message. He never seemed to get tired of saying it. He always had enthusiasm."

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