New Archbishop for Seattle!

The News:

VATICAN CITY, 16 SEP 2010 (VIS) – The Holy Father appointed Bishop James Peter Sartain of Joliet in Illinois, U.S.A., as metropolitan archbishop of Seattle (area 64,269, population 5,141,000, Catholics 964,000, priests 313, permanent deacons 104, religious 551), U.S.A. The archbishop-elect was born in Memphis, U.S.A. in 1952, he was ordained a priest in 1978 and consecrated a bishop in 2000. He succeeds Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

The Announcement from Bp. Sartain to the Diocese of Joliet:

As you read this message on Thursday morning, I am in Seattle, Washington, for the announcement that Pope Benedict XVI has appointed me Archbishop of Seattle. I will succeed Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett, who will be retiring after 13 years of service to the Church in western Washington state. The date for the installation will be set in the near future.

To say the least, I was surprised by the phone call from Archbishop Pietro Sambi on September 7 during which he notified me of this appointment (I was in an airport coming home from vacation!). I accepted the appointment by phone and later wrote a formal letter of acceptance to the Holy Father. It was important to me that I mention in the letter that it has been a privilege to serve as Bishop of Joliet for the past four years, because I will always be grateful for the blessings I have received here in your midst.

I did not anticipate this appointment, but I have accepted it with trust in God’s wisdom. I know that just as he has blessed me during my time with you, so will he bless me now in Washington. I ask for your kind prayers, that I will be a humble, generous and wise servant of the Church of Seattle and that God will give me peace as I make this significant transition.

Established in 1850 as the Diocese of Nesqually, the Archdiocese of Seattle encompasses 29,000 square miles of western Washington. Approximately 300 diocesan and religious priests, 100 deacons, 500 religious women and men, and many hundreds of lay ministers serve 972,000 Catholics in a diverse population of over 5 million.

It’s difficult to put in words the emotions I have been experiencing the past few days, but I want you to know that chief among them has been gratitude for having been given the opportunity to serve as your Bishop. As I mentioned to Archbishop Sambi, you will remain in my heart and prayers for the rest of my life. Before I leave for the installation, we will plan a gathering to say farewell and to give me the chance to personally express my deep thanks to you.

Sincerely in Christ,
Bishop Peter Sartain

The Commentary from a Reader:

You are getting my bishop! We have mutual friends in the Chesterton Society, so I feel like you need to know how lucky Seattle is to have Bishop Peter Sartain! He has gotten the reputation of being a “house cleaner” for good or for ill. He removed some priests who although not criminal, were up to know good. He brought religious sisters back to our diocese, appointed a young vibrant and orthodox Jesuit to head Catholic Schools, getting rid of a sister in an ugly plaid suit. Not only that but he made this year the year of the Eucharist here in Joliet, and is hosting a Eucharistic Congress. Oh, I forgot he got rid of our diocese newspaper that was best used to line a bird cage and replaced it with a magazine that everyone in the diocese gets. Christ Our Hope is beautiful, and full of practical catechesis for those who may only have contact with the church a few times a year. I am so sad to see him go, but Seattle probably needs a good man like him. Take good care of him, we only had him a mere 5 years.

Will do! Gotta run! Work to do!

PS. Did you know that one of the bishops of Joliet was named “Romeo Blanchette”? Romeo of Joliet. What’s not to love?

Okay. Over and out. Back later.