Feb. 25, 1994

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Catholic

News & Herald Volume 3 Number 25 • February

erving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

25, 1994

Bishop William Curlin To Head Diocese Flock's Spiritual

Needs Top

Shepherd's

Of

By

List

CAROL HAZARD Associate Editor

CHARLOTTE

— The new

chief

shepherd for the Diocese of Charlotte, Auxiliary Bishop William G. Curlin of Washington D.C., wont be spending much time behind his desk. After six months without a bishop,

was honored by Pope John Paul II with a man of God whose best friend and mentor is Mother Teresa.

the diocese

Bishop Curlin, 66, is a "parish priest" who wants to be out among the people. "I want to come here to help you find the Jesus in everybody," Bishop Curlin told Catholic Center employees at a Feb. 22 reception hours 'after the announcement was made in Washington Archbishop Agostino by Cacciavillan, Apostolic

Nuncio

to the

United States. "I'm not a business manager or a financier," he said. A priest for 37 years, Bishop Curlin will be the third bishop of Charlotte. He will be installed April 12-13. He succeeds Bishop John F. Donoghue, who became archbishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on Aug. 20, 1993. "I

am one

have come here sent God to be your brother in Christ, not I be the man with all the answers

loving God Who knows our every need, Who can cause a tall

Of

i

And mighty

tree

To grow from a tiny seed!

Think of beginning

A kingdom of love, As

tiny as a grain,

That will grow and grow 'Til the world is one Where God will always reign.

Reflection Center,

loved the priests

much

I

Maggie Valley. "I so met here. There was

sharing, laughter

J.

ocesan administrator,

emMcSweeney, disaid,

"We

wel-

We are happy you

come you profusely. are here for us."

His warm reception here was tempered by feelings of great loss by the people and priests of Washington. "Charlotte's gain is sure our loss,

100 percent," said Juanita Vidi, a longtime friend of the bishop. "Charlotte is getting the most wonderful man who ever lived. To know him is to love him. The only consoling factor for us is that it's

not that far between Washington

and Charlotte." Father Gabriel Duffy, pastor of

Epiphany Church in Georgetown, said Bishop Curlin is a "very, very dedicated

Church and

...

spiri-

In introducing Bishop Curlin to

ployees, Msgr. John

priest not interested in

love for you, with kindness

and deep

tual camaraderie."

by

come with

Imagine the power

and a full heart. I love you and hope you might some day love me too." Bishop Curlin said he is "ecstatic" about moving to Charlotte. He has wanted to come here for 10 years ever since he gave a retreat for diocesan priests at the Living Waters Catholic

told employees. "I

to

Lenten Reflection

of you," Bishop Curlin

Priorities

much else but the He is

the Church's work.

very friendly to priests, hospitable to everybody." Besides the Church, Father Curlin has at least one other passion. A football fan, he quipped that he wanted to come to Charlotte as part of a package deal with Joe Gibbs, former Washington Redskins coach and leading candidate to coach the new Carolina Panthers football team. "I

am so happy

for all of you," said

Father Ronald Potts,

who

traveled with

Bishop Curlin to Charlotte for the announcement. "You are getting a truly pastoral bishop. He will be a great gift to serve you and bring Christ to you. But of course, we are very sad. He has been such a loving shepherd in our midst." Father Potts recalls how Bishop Curlin helped Mother Teresa open a convent for the Missionaries of Charity in Washington. To welcome the sisters and get the house ready for them, Bishop Curlin scrubbed the floors. See Bishop, Page 16

Diocesan Support Appeal The annual Diocesan Support

From Ash Wednesday Through Easter, by Elaine M. Ward, a book written as a way of "walking and talking" with Jesus during Lent, as a way of being with God.

Photo right:

Fruit bearing trees in Seville, Spain.

Photo by

JOANN KEANE

Appeal, a major source of funding for 30 ministries,

is

now

underway. The campaign began Feb. 6 and will continue through April 10 with a goal! of $1,806,000.


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