Exceptional Bishops of the Church

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Well, you must have read my thoughts Father, for I was going to write Bishop Sheen. Such good memories to see him in his cape teaching with his trustworthy blackboard…I was around 9-10 when i used to watch him. Such a holy man!

I am not American, and this priest is not a Bishop, but I would choose Father Corapi 👍 if my vote would count! But it doesn’t and that is okay…I do not know anybody else in the US.

Blessings and happy 4th!
Shoshana
 
My hats off to Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan. He had to pull double duty as it were, when he filled in for the bishop of the Phoenix Diocese who resigned after a fatal hit and-run.

Archbishop Sheehan spread his time between the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and the Diocese of Phoenix. He let it be known that he wanted to be a healer and an ambassador of hope for the Catholics of Phoenix. In Phoenix and at home he handled sex abuse scandles with forthright action. He personally apologized to each victim whose address and/or phone number he could find. Priests who were guilty of sexual misconduct with minors in the Archdiocese were removed from priestly ministry and restricted so that they are not permitted to exercise any public ministry whatsoever; nor to wear the clerical collar. “They were in effect fired because of the harm that they have done to victims and their families. The Archdiocese has a policy of zero tolerance for anyone guilty of pedophilia.”

The Archbishop came to the Santa Fe diocese in the midst of a sex scandal involving priests and used the experience he gained to the full in Phoenix. In his own Archdiocese, he’s reached out to the victims providing counseling and settling the cases. He also has set in place strict policies regarding acceptance of future candidates for the priesthood. Such things as: physical and psychological examination; as well as an AIDS test and police background check. Candidates are personally interviewed by the Archbishops after his Vocation Director has had numerous interviewsthem.

Archbishop Sheehan a big heart and a humble attitude in dealing with victims of abuse needing healing. He has had to “walk through fire” in dealing with lawyers and news media. I don’t think he envisioned any of this when he answered God’s call to be a priest.
 
Our new Bishop in Phoenix, Bishop Olmsted so far has proven to be a very spiritual person, he stands by the teachings of the Church in face of fire from local liberals already (taking a firm stance on abortion and homosexual activity). He has taken steps already regarding the scandal in the Church and he has granted an indult for the Tridentine Mass here… He has a good raport with the press as well. He is also a canon lawyer and so I trust him to really know what the Church law is.
 
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deogratias:
He has a good raport with the press as well.
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Upon what do you base that? The same reporters that covered the diocese during Bp. O’Brien’s time, are still here. They seem to write poorly informed articles with an anti-Catholic bias no matter the topic. Compared to other places I’ve been, press coverage of the Church is practically non-existent unless there’s bad news to report.

On the plus side, the parish here where Life Teen national HQ is located, has just announced that it “heard from Rome” that it needs to end some of the abuses it created, such as gatherings around the altar and changing the words of dismissal. Under O’Brien, that parish said that it “had permission from the Bishop” to continue these things, and I assume that Bp. Olmsted cracked the whip. Good for him if so.
 
T.A.Stobie:
Born and became a priest and then a bishop (in 1965) in Nigeria. He joined the Roman Curia in 1985 as Pro-Prefect of Interreligious Dialogue, and in 2002 became Prefect of the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

The Cardinal possess great insights into the mysteries and doctrines of the church and is a superb speaker. When he speaks listen carefully and be amazed at some of his brilliant insights.
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Amen. And I’ve heard him named as a (if not THE) front runner in the next Papal election.
 
I am not sure the reporting is better but I have watched a few news conferences with the Bishop and the Press. There was not that mutual hostility that seemed to exist between the press and Retired Bishop O’Brien.

Reporters who do not understand our Faith will always err in reporting it but the better relationship the Bishop and the Press have, the better chance of positive and accurate reporting we may expect in the future.

An example of one such press conference and how well he handles himself can be seen here:

catholicsun.org/resources/pressConf622High.htm
 
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deogratias:
An example of one such press conference and how well he handles himself can be seen here
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Very informative, thanks for the pointer.
 
What an excellant post!

Let me start with His Eminence Justin F. Rigali who is new to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is amazing this he has made so positive an impression in such a short time. More amazing because the man he followed was so well regarded. His Eminence is a true spiritual leader. In the one minute spots that run on Sundays on the local all news all day radio station, in his letters to the faithful, and in the many articles on matters of faith that he has contributed to the Catholic newspaper, he is always teaching and (name removed by moderator)iring. We are blessed to have him.

I must mention His Eminence Anthony Bevilacua (now retired)predicessor to Cardinal Rigali. I travel a good bit, and I have seen things in Catholic Churchs that are troubeling. I am both proud and pleased to report that the Church is Philadelphia was in good hands under this good man. When many Seminaries were in trouble ours was rising to the occaiion. Many Diocese send their seminarians to Philadelphia for priestly formation. I am sure they do it with confidance.

Which brings me to the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge rector of St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. I have seen three priests who have ordained within the last three years and to the man they are the well formed and holy priests that we pray for, and I have seen and heard nothing but good things about the bishop.

Charliemac
 
I think one of the neatest bishops the United States has ever produced so to speak is Bishop John Neumann. He is certainly a bishop that all the U.S. bishops could look to as a model. He arrived in New York in 1836 with just a rosary in his pocket, one dollar and the address of the bishop of Brooklyn. Within a month he was ordained and on his way to Buffalo to minister to may German Catholics who practically had no priests. At his first Mass in his new parish, Catholic-haters threw pebble, cow dung and corncobs through the space where the door would be when they could afford one. Neumann built a school and did all the teaching himself. Convinced that his own lack of holiness was the cause of every problem in the parish, he left New York and became a Redemptorist priest. All his life he just wanted to be a simple priest and yet they kept putting him in charge of things even making him bishop of Baltimore and finally Philadelphia. During his time priest could be beaten making sick calls in America and yet he did it. He was always living in the smallest quarter he could find and with the least of material things. He was constantly doing penances and prayers. He established Catholic schools all over his diocese. He inaugarated forty hours devotion to the Eucharist. His funeral procession was the largest Philadelphia had ever seen.
 
I would like to add Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, formerly Bishop of Camden, NJ, now Bishop of Brooklyn, NY. Also, our new Bishop, Joseph Galante looks like he might be OK. Right now, he is recovering from knee replacement, so we haven’t seen too much of him.

Peace,
Linda
 
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cnelms:
We are still getting to know Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis (formerly of LaCrosse, WI). But from what we’ve seen so far, he’s gonna work out just fine.
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Archbishop Burke is an excellent bishop. Two threads on this forum have discussed some of his actions:

Archbishop Burke Actions is St. Louis

Congratulation St. Louis- A Bishop with A Spine

:gopray2: Dear God, grant that other bishops will follow the lead and courage of Archbishop Burke to speak out for the Truth in a culture that opposes his message. :gopray2:
 
I’m so glad to see another Bishop Jenky fan here. He used to be aux bishop of South Bend-Fort Waye, ie Notre Dame country and was very well-loved at ND. We were so sad to see him go; Peoria is a very lucky dioscese.
 
T.A.Stobie:
Charles Chaput became a franciscan in the Order of Friar Minors Capuchin where he was ordered a priest. He was named Bishop of Souix Falls (South Dakota) and then raised to Archbishop of Denver by John Paul II. He is an outspoken champion of the truth, speaking out for the church regardless of the opposition against him. He has a deep spirituality fro which he draws from in his advocating the truth to all who will listen. He is a wonderful speaker to listen to.
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Yes, He is my FAVORITE!!! Bishop in all the USA! He is not afraid to stand up for truth in season and out of season, I have met him when I lived in Denver, and he is great, accessible, friendly, and above all a very holy man. I wish he was the Archbishop of New York. may God and Our lady, Queen of the Angels guide and always bless the wonderful Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, Colorado. I hope he will one day be named a CARDINAL. What do you all think on this(Cardinal)?
 
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Jadesfire20:
I’m originally from the Archdiocese of New York…for pretty much my entire life the only Bishop I ever knew was the late and great John Cardinal O’Conner. Now there was one great Irish priest! He wasn’t afraid to lock horns with the militant gays, feminists, and pro-abortion “Catholic” polititcians. He founded the Sisters of Life. A great leader and a powerful presence…he made you proud to be Catholic in New York. But most important of all, a great priest and a servant of God and his holy people. He passed in 2000 I believe. We shall not see his likes again in the Big Apple. :crying:

May his soul rest in peace, and if we’re worthy I hope he puts in a good word for us New Yorkers.👍
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I live in Manhattan, New York City(Archdiocese of New York) and I totally loved Cardinal O’Connor. How I wish he were still with us here. He was a holy, orthodox man, and yes he defended truth, not his political private agenda. He was also a man of his priests here, he did not ignore them, he did not brush them to the side, he backed all PASTORS of parishes who loved orthodoxy and who defended catholic Doctrine, and who wanted to make their parish schools catholic and faithful to the Magisterium, he personally called and visited his Pastors(did not communicate through his Chancellor, nor vicar when something very important was to be said) and especially when they were sick or down. he was not arrogant, he was NOT afraid of the media, but gave many interviews, and his priests loved him.
How sad, that this is no longer the case in the present Archdiocese of NY. Lord, send us another Archbishop like him, PLEASE!!!
 
My vote is for:

+JOHN MICHAEL (Botean), Eparch of Canton of the Romanians, who takes hard stances, as well as shepherds the poorest Church in the USA (he dives a beat up station wagon to whatever parish he needs to go, instead of flying, and has done a lot in Orthodox-Catholic relation), and

+JOHN (Kudrich) of the Eparchy of Parma, who is trying to lead a liturgical and spiritual renewal of our Eparchy, in spite of resistance on the part of clergy and people.

In Christ,
Adam
 
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Charliemac:
What an excellant post!

Let me start with His Eminence Justin F. Rigali who is new to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia…

I must mention His Eminence Anthony Bevilacua (now retired)predicessor to Cardinal Rigali. …

Which brings me to the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge rector of St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. I have seen three priests who have ordained within the last three years and to the man they are the well formed and holy priests that we pray for, and I have seen and heard nothing but good things about the bishop.

Charliemac
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I agree wholeheartedly on all three counts! I’m a seminarian at Saint Charles, and I will miss Bishop Burbidge very much as he leaves for his new assignment.

I’d like to add to the list my own Bishop, a Philadelphia native, Bishop Edward P. Cullen of Allentown. He’s a remarkable and holy man.
 
T.A.Stobie:
Archbishop O’Brien was a military chaplin for many years. He now is head of a special diocese serving catholics in the military wherever in the world they are.

He really cares deeply about the spiritual well-being of his flock and is a good teacher of the faith as well. I have heard him many times on EWTN and each time an impressed with his practical view of the faith and the love he has for his flock.
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I am in Archbishop O’Brian’s diocese (I’m military) I’d have to say that I have been happy with his service to us from what I know. He tends to be pretty good with making sure that we follow what the church has outlined for how we worship, so yes, he seems to be pretty “obedient to the Magesterium” as they say for others. I am currently stationed in California which has very unorthodox parishes all over the place, so it is nice to be able to go on base where we can be more well organized and get away from the liberalism…I thank God that we have him.
 
Greetings

Wow, it is hard to give one favorite. I have high regard for a number of good American Bishops.
Of course I love my own Bishop Weigan of the Diocese of Sacramento, CA. He is a no nonsense man but still compasionate. He is well liked by most of the Priests I know.

I love to listen to Priests talk about their Bishops. I have gone to conferences and hear a lot there then I come home and read up on them.

Many are in areas where they don’t get a lot of attention. I have heard good things about a former Californian, now in the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota. That would be Bishop Aquila. I had a good friend who lived and worked in his Diocese and told good things about him.

I have great affection for Bishop Skylstad in the Diocese of Spokane in Washington. I have heard wonderful things about him from the Priests in his Diocese and of course, we lived there for a few years and met him. He is such a humble man of God.

My good Priest friend has had good things to say about Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz from the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. I love visiting websites and reading the biographies. I enjoyed reading about his deep devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. This is a wonderful website for the Diocese. I recommend it, good reading.

There are others but I guess you only wanted one.
 
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