Letter from Bishop David Zubik
(en Español)
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July 18, 2007 |
Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Church of Green Bay:
This morning, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has made public that he has appointed me the Twelfth Bishop of Pittsburgh. This appointment has caught me by surprise as I suspect many of you as well.
This new charge takes me back to the Church that has given birth to my faith in Baptism; the Church that has nourished my faith through the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation; the Church that has called me to service first to the Diaconate and then to the Presbyterate and finally to the Episcopacy. Pope Benedict XVI calls me to lead the nearly 800,000 people of the local church of Pittsburgh.
While I will return to a Church that I love much, this change causes me no small pain in leaving another Church that I love much. For nearly four years it has been my privilege to serve you as your Bishop. I came to you as an outsider from a different part of the country. You have been patient with me; but more importantly, you have loved me and helped me and challenged me; most of all you have prayed with and for me.
When I reach the judgment seat of God at the end of my life, I hope that what God will recognize is that I have tried my best to serve you well. First and foremost, I have taken seriously my happy obligation of praying for you and daily. Second, in the decisions that I have made, I have sincerely tried to be consultative in recognizing the richness each of you contributes to the Church. Third, it is a privilege to be a member of the Presbyterate of this Church as well as to be inspired by all the faithful, lay and ordained, women and men alike.
My installation as the Twelfth Bishop of Pittsburgh is scheduled for Friday, September 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in Saint Paul Cathedral in the Oakland section of the city of Pittsburgh. I hope some of you may be able to join in that celebration. In the meantime, I remain your Bishop and intend to continue to work diligently and enthusiastically until I am installed in Pittsburgh.
While I have many people to thank in my life, you all bear the distinction of teaching me how to be a Shepherd. For that I am eternally grateful. Most especially, I am grateful to Cardinal Adam Maida, our late Bishop Aloysius Wycislo, Bishop Robert Banks and Bishop Robert Morneau for all of their help and support.
In the transition time and beyond, the work of this Church of Green Bay continues. The initiatives that have begun will continue for they are crucial to the mission of the Church. Among others, these initiatives include: The Advancing the Mission Campaign; the Catholic Education Strategic Plan; the planning process for Parish Life; Evangelization efforts; Vocation work; the Commissioned Ministry Program; and the invaluable work of Catholic Charities.
Please pray for me in these days of transition as I prepare to begin my new charge. May I do so with the same vigor that I have invested in all that I have tried to do for you. Please know that all that I have tried to do for you I have done out of love for you, for God and for the Church.
Grateful for our belief that "Nothing is Impossible with God," I am
DAZ:ndl |
Your brother in Christ,
[signed]
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Bishop of Green Bay |
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