Week
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March
28, 2001
Inside the Register
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New
bishop welcomed with prayer, warm wishes
1,000 faithful, civic and religious leaders attend liturgy to greet Bishop-elect Gomez
By Roxanne King
With prayers and songs of praise some 1,000 people filled the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception March 25 to welcome Bishop-elect Jose H. Gomez to the Archdiocese of Denver.
Civic and religious leaders, lay faithful and even a cardinal, came from across the country and beyond to attend the Solemn Prayer Service and subsequent festive reception, held on the eve of Bishop-elect Gomez's Episcopal Ordination.
"This is a very great moment of joy for the Church in northern Colorado," Archbishop Charles Chaput O.F.M. Cap., said as he began the celebration. "Bishop Jose is a gift to all of us — a brother who will be well-loved and eagerly received."
The archbishop had requested a Spanish-speaking bishop to help serve the burgeoning Hispanic population, which Census figures show grew 73 percent over the last decade. A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Bishop-elect Gomez served the last 14 years in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas.
His appointment "is the answer to many years of prayer," said former State Sen. Polly Baca, who welcomed Bishop-elect Gomez on behalf of the Hispanic community.
"We have waited more than 400 years for the ordination of a Spanish-speaking bishop in Northern Colorado," Baca said to loud applause. "This is indeed a unique and historic occasion."
Knights of Columbus in colorful capes and plumes led a procession of altar servers and clergy to start the bilingual event that featured multicultural choirs and moving Spanish guitars and vocals.
A standing ovation was given as Archbishop Chaput introduced Cardinal Luis Juan Cipriani of Peru, who wasn't expected until the Ordination Mass the following day. Other dignitaries included Attorney General Ken Salazar.
Representatives from Gov. Bill Owens and Mayor Wellington Webb's offices extended congratulations and warm welcomes, as did representatives from the ecumenical community, including Rev. James Ryan, of the Colorado Council of Churches.
The service included the blessing of the new bishop's pontifical insignia — the pastoral staff, ring and miter — and his signing an oath of fidelity to the Church.
"I see my ministry, my personal vocation — and our common Christian vocation as well — as the building up of the Church," Bishop-elect Gomez said during his homily, given in Spanish and English. "The building up of faith, hope and charity in a personal and communal way for each one of us."
Bishop-elect Gomez asked that the faithful unite their prayers with his to bring about the new "springtime of Christianity" Pope John Paul II has promoted.
"Let us go forward in hope," he said, quoting the Holy Father, "on this journey we are accompanied by the Blessed Virgin Mary.
"Through her powerful intercession, we will `receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need,'" he added.
Mexican native Regina Fadl, 16, of San Antonio, was in tears at the end of the service.
"We've been friends with Bishop Gomez from 15 years ago," she said, adding that she will miss "Father Jose."
But she believes he is in good hands in Denver.
"The people here have welcomed him very warmly," she said. Tearing up again, she added, "Someone came up to me and said, `Don't worry, because we're going to treat him really well."
The new bishop's four sisters, who traveled from Monterrey to witness the ordination liturgies, agreed.
"We are sure that he is going to be very happy here," said Maria del Carmen Celaya, her eyes brimming with tears. Texas' loss, is Denver's gain, said many of the bishop-elect's former flock. "He's a humble person with a lovely sense of humor," said longtime friend Patricia Collins, of Houston. "He is a superb gift to the Church." The event brought tears of joy to the bishop-elects new flock as well. "I asked if he could bless my mom — she has cancer," said Carmelita Hernandez, 16. "He did. I was so happy I started crying. I think he's going to be great."