Expressing his faith, Bishop Murry officially accepts his appointment

Reading and acceptance of the Apostolic Letter made the appointment official.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- These words by Bishop George V. Murry affirmed his acceptance of the Apostolic Letter of appointment from Pope Benedict XVI and made it official:
"With faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and with the love of God in my heart, I do accept the pastoral care of the people of God in the Diocese of Youngstown. I resolve to serve faithfully the spiritual needs of this local church."
He's the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, leader of some 216,151 Catholics in 115 parishes and two missions in the diocese's six counties of Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull.
Mass, highlighted by a rite of installation, was Wednesday afternoon in St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W. Rayen Ave. A 20-minute processional into the cathedral set the tone for the event as three cardinals, 40 archbishops and bishops along with some 200 other clergy walked down the long cathedral aisle and took their seats. Wearing white and off-white robes with sashes emblazoned with symbols of their religious orders and affiliations, the clergy procession attested to a commitment of faith.
A contingent of the Knights of Columbus, garbed in black trousers and black capes lined in shades matching the bold colors of green, red and purple of their white-plumed hats, gave a regal air to the processional.
Nancy L. Yuhasz, chancellor of the diocese, led the section of faith community representatives and local dignitaries.
Spoke to crowd
Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarcyzk, metropolitan of the Province of Cincinnati, then introduced himself and spoke to the congregation of some 900 people that also represented civic institutions and reflected a broad range of religious and racial diversity.
"I am pleased to be a part of this installation of a new bishop," he said, and added he wished Bishop Murry "many years of a happy ministry."
Archbishop Pilarcyzk then invited Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, to present the English translation of the Apostolic Letter. With an Italian accent, the archbishop read the official document of the appointment.
Yuhasz completed the official part of the installation by showing the document from the Vatican to the diocesan consultors, a body of clergy.
Archbishops Pilarcyzk and Sambi then led Bishop Murry to the cathedral, the official bishop's chair, where he received the crozier, the pastoral staff of the office. A bishop carries a crozier as a sign of his jurisdiction. Other symbols of the office are the mitre, a peaked cap, and pectoral cross that reflects the order of dignity of the office.
Guest list
The occasion had the expected pageantry and impressive guest list of high-ranking Catholic clergy, ecumenical representatives and local luminaries including Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and his wife, Sonja, and Dr. David Sweet, president of Youngstown State University.
But the event all came down to one man accepting responsibility for leadership of the diocese and making a further commitment to his faith.
Archbishop Sambi charged the new bishop "to govern in the name of Christ" and "promote unity among the faithful."
Story of blind man
Bishop Murry, a Jesuit priest, gave the homily and spoke for the first time as the bishop in Youngstown. Referring to a Gospel story about Bartimaeus, a blind man on the road to Jericho, Bishop Murry said Bartimaeus "had spiritual sight but lacked physical sight." But, the bishop said, the blind man believed that Jesus could "work wonders" and indeed, Jesus restored his physical sight.
"Each of us has a role in the gospel and a mission that comes out of a gospel," Bishop Murry said. "It's Jesus who opens our eyes."
"I stand before you, my family, friends, clergy and guests and open my eyes to see you ... the living God who dwells in you," Bishop Murry said. And with the ability to see, he noted, comes the realization of the "needs of the poor, the unemployed, the underemployed and who struggle to make ends meet."
Bishop Murry promised he would "to the best of my ability ... teach, administer and sanctify ... as I step on the shoulders of my predecessors" including Bishop Thomas Tobin, previous bishop of the diocese.
Paying a tribute
Bishop Murry also recognized Monsignor Robert J. Siffrin, who had served as diocesan administrator since June 2, 2005, and a standing ovation was a tribute to the monsignor's "devotion and commitment to the diocese."
In closing, Bishop Murry injected a bit of humor by thanking the masters of ceremonies who "made sure everyone and everything was in its place, including me."
"And I thank the people of the diocese who so warmly welcomed me. It is an honor to be with you," he concluded.
linonis@vindy.com
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