 |
| April 2005 |
| Fargo bishop appointed apostolic administrator
for Diocese of Sioux Falls |
Gene Young
Managing Editor
|
Most Rev. Samuel Aquila, bishop of Fargo,
ND, is the newly appointed apostolic administrator for the Diocese
of Sioux Falls.
Pope John Paul II named Bishop Aquila to the position on the
day Bishop Robert Carlson was installed as the fifth bishop
of Saginaw, Michigan.
Bishop Aquila, 54, will serve as apostolic administrator in
addition to his current position as Bishop of Fargo, until a
new bishop is appointed, a process that can take several months.
“I am humbled by Pope John Paul II’s trust and confidence
in me,” said Bishop Aquila, when introduced to the people
of the diocese. “I look forward to serving the clergy
and laity of Sioux Falls.”
Bishop Aquila began that mission the same day, celebrating the
noon Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral and greeting parishioners
afterward.
The bishop has also retuned to the diocese to preside over the
Chrism Mass for the southern part of the diocese at the cathedral.
Bishop Aquila said he expects to visit the diocese a couple
times a month as his schedule permits.
The new apostolic administrator called Bishop Robert Carlson
“a good friend and mentor” providing Bishop Aquila
with the opportunity for monthly spiritual direction with the
team of priests and laity from the Institute of Priestly Formation
in Omaha, NE, who come and serve in the diocese each month.
“Bishop Carlson helped me in many ways to understand what
it means to be a bishop today,” he said. “I, like
many of you, will miss Bishop Carlson. He served the Church
of Sioux Falls well as a faithful apostle, a loving father and
a good shepherd.”
Bishop Aquila’s friendship and familiarity with Bishop
Carlson and the diocese has also provided him with insight into
the many projects Bishop Carlson began or was working on at
the time of his appointment to Saginaw including Broom Tree
Retreat Center, the upcoming restoration of St. Joseph Cathedral,
the missionary outreach of the diocese and the new Catholic
schools that are in progress.
“My plan is to maintain those projects and continue to
build on the wonderful accomplishments of Bishop Carlson while
we await a new bishop,” Bishop Aquila said. “I will
very much depend on the chancery staff to maintain the day to
day operation of the diocese.”
Bishop Aquila’s service as apostolic administrator could
be lengthy. The process of appointing a new bishop for the diocese
could take several months to a year.
In reference to the appointment of a new bishop in connection
with ongoing diocesan projects, Bishop Aquila said, “I
will try to complete some projects before the new bishop gets
here.”
He told the media and staff gathered for the announcement of
his appointment that he did not know what impact the pope’s
health problems could have on the process of selecting a new
bishop for the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
Bishop Carlson’s reaction to the appointment of Bishop
Aquila was very positive. “I am delighted at the Holy
Father’s appointment of Bishop Aquila and thankful for
his generosity in saying yes to this challenge,” Bishop
Carlson said. “He will be a great blessing to the Diocese
of Sioux Falls.”
Bishop Aquila is a native of California.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1976 in Denver, CO.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him coadjutor Bishop of
Fargo and he became Bishop of Fargo on March 18, 2002, upon
the retirement of Bishop James Sullivan.
The Diocese of Fargo is similar in size to the Diocese of Sioux
Falls, with about 84,000 Catholics.
The two dioceses have other similarities though, including rural
parishes and a strong emphasis on life issues and family life.
Bishop Aquila will be managing a Catholic population in the
Diocese of Sioux Falls that now tops 130,000 in 150 parishes.
The diocese also is home to 24 Catholic Schools, two Catholic
colleges, the Avera Health System and eight religious communities
comprised of about 400 women and men, 30 permanent deacons and
104 active religious and diocesan priests.
As apostolic administrator, Bishop Aquila is granted by the
Vatican all the faculties of a diocesan bishop but the diocese
is still considered vacant.
He encouraged the people of the diocese to continue to pray.
“I ask for your prayers first for Bishop Carlson as he
begins his new apostolic service to the Church of Saginaw,”
he said. “Pray too that the Holy Spirit will guide the
selection of the next bishop of Sioux Falls.” |
|
|
|
