Utah Catholics figuratively threw open the doors of their cathedral — and their hearts — Wednesday to welcome a new bishop for whom they've waited more than a year.Hundreds of people packed the Cathedral of the Madeleine downtown to watch the pomp and pageantry that accompanied Bishop John Charles Wester's installment as the ninth bishop of Utah.
At 1:30 p.m., the crowd fell silent, waiting to hear the new bishop's traditional knock on the large, wooden cathedral doors.
Three distinct knocks were heard, and the doors were opened to a new era of leadership for the Utah church by Monsignor Terrence Fitzgerald, who has administered the affairs of the diocese since last February, when then-Bishop George Niederauer was ordained as archbishop of San Francisco.
"Peace to all who are gathered here," came the singular voice, followed by the sound of the organ and a choir heralding the new bishop's entry.
Once welcomed inside, Bishop Wester smiled broadly as hundreds strained to get a first glimpse of their new shepherd. Smiling widely, he moved through the aisles of the historic church, nodding at guests as he sprinkled holy water into the crowd before following a procession of fellow bishops from around the country to his place behind the altar.
Archbishop Niederauer first took his seat on the bishop's throne, but after a pronouncement from a representative of the Vatican, he led Bishop Wester to his new seat as bishop to preside over the rest of the ceremony.
Reading a decree from Pope Benedict, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, formally released Bishop Wester from his former responsibilities in San Francisco and appointed him "Bishop of Salt Lake City, with all the rights and obligations" of the office.
A standing ovation followed as the new bishop acknowledged the crowd.
He then greeted local religious and political leaders as the audience looked on, including Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson and the Rev. Mike Imperiale of First Presbyterian Church (which sits on the block east of the cathedral).
Other local dignitaries in attendance included President Thomas S. Monson of the LDS Church's First Presidency, industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr., Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert and the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.
They were joined by Cardinals Roger Mahony of Los Angeles and Theodore McCarrick of Washington, D.C., and by Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"I feel a little bit like one of my nephews who, when a child, would go out front, meet a new kid on the block and say, 'Hi, my name's Robert. Do you want to be my friend?"'
Bishop Wester said of his desire for friendship both within the diocese and the wider Utah community. "I am here to ask for your friendship, a friendship that will enhance my closeness to the Lord," he said. "If I am to be a faithful disciple, I need to deepen in my friendship with Christ and I need your friendship to do that."
Speaking at times in Spanish during his homily, Bishop Wester listened attentively to readings in six languages other than English, signaling for many his desire to reach out to the diversity within the diocese and the state.
"As I become more a part of many wonderful cultures that make up the tapestry of this diocese, I will be challenged to understand more fully how Christ has been working in your traditions and how we can all benefit from what you share with the larger church," he said.
"I will be called to minister with you to the young and the elderly, the strong and the frail, the rich and the poor, the native peoples and the immigrants, the latter of whom I now consider myself a member.
"Through your sharing with me I will learn more closely of my own biases and prejudices and open myself to the healing grace of Christ, who destroys the barriers between us and makes us one body, one spirit in himself."
Hundreds lined up to receive communion from Archbishop Niederauer and Bishop Wester following his remarks, as music by the Cathedral Choir and orchestra filled the colorful cathedral with sound equal to the pageantry that was an integral part of the the three-hour ceremony.
The proceedings were broadcast live locally over the Internet.
The bishop spent several minutes thanking all those in Utah and San Francisco who have supported him, including his mother and siblings, who were seated near the front of the cathedral.
He paid a special tribute and acknowledged the presence of his deceased father, Charles, in a voice that broke with emotion "just like his," he said.
Following the service, his mother, Helen Wester, said she was simply "overwhelmed right now. The cathedral is magnificent and the service was beautiful."
His sister, Kathy beamed with pride, noting the warmth of the service and her brother's mention of their father. "That's John. As my dad would have said, 'Wow!"'
Gov. Huntsman said the installation was a "very special day for the state of Utah. When you consider the humanitarian, educational and special needs that are served out of this diocese, it's a very important day.
Bishop Wester brings a great deal of individual humanity and compassion to a job where many will look to his leadership. It's really an honor to be here." Elder Ballard said Bishop Wester is "a great addition to our community. It's a wonderful celebration of that."
Bishop William Weigand, the seventh bishop of Utah who now serves as bishop of Sacramento, said Bishop Wester's installation was nostalgic for him as he remembered his own ceremony here nearly a quarter century ago. "I wanted to cry and wondered why I ever said yes to the Holy Father" in his call to California, he said.
"There is something simpler and more authentic about life in Utah. California is wonderful but there are so many people and life is so complex. Everything is more difficult in a way. This is very nostalgic for me."
He said Bishop Wester is coming to a place where "the moral fabric of life is just more healthy. ...
There's lots of advantages here. I may come back in retirement. We'll see if the new boss puts out any feelers."
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