February 10, 2004 - Statement of Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley
on Bishop Malone's Appointment to Bishop of Portland, Maine
I congratulate Bishop Richard Malone on his appointment as the eleventh Bishop
of the Diocese of Portland. The Holy Father has expressed his care and concern for
the people of Portland as well as his confidence in the this priest and bishop
of the Archdiocese of Boston by appointing Bishop Malone to lead the Church
in Maine.
Bishop Malone became the fourth son of this Archdiocese to assume the office
of Bishop of Portland, Maine. This road from Boston to Portland was previously
traveled by the second, third and fourth bishops of the diocese, James Augustine
Healy, William Henry O’Connell and Louis Sebastian Walsh. Like Bishop Walsh,
Bishop Malone was born in Salem, Massachusetts. He began his priestly ministry
in 1972 at St. Patrick’s Parish in Stoneham. Bishop Malone has had a longstanding
interest and expertise in Catholic education and catechesis. He has served
on the faculties of St. Clement High School in Somerville, Xaverian Brothers
High School in Westwood, St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and as Chaplain of
the Harvard Catholic Student Center in Cambridge. Named Director of Religious
Education for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1993, he became Secretary for Education
of the Archdiocese in 1995. Appointed by the Holy Father as Titular Bishop
of Aptuca and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston in 2000, Bishop
Malone has served with distinction and zeal as Regional Bishop of the South
Region.
I am grateful to Bishop Malone for his many years of faithful priestly and
episcopal ministry here in the Archdiocese of Boston. I am pleased that we
will be able to continue our own pastoral relationship on the provincial level. I
look forward with great anticipation to the day of Bishop Malone’s installation
in Portland when I can join him and the faithful of his diocese in celebration. The
Capuchins first came to Maine in the 17th century. As Metropolitan,
this Capuchin friar and bishop likewise pledges my prayers and pastoral concern
to the people of Portland and their new ordinary.
I would also like to offer a word of gratitude to Bishop Joseph Gerry, O.S.B.,
as he prepares to lay down the burdens of diocesan administration. For sixteen
years, through his life and ministry as Bishop of Portland, he has embodied
the true meaning of service to God’s people. This faithful son of Saint Benedict
has been a valued collaborator of mine during my time in Fall River as well
as here in Boston. I trust and pray that Bishop Joseph will continue to serve
God’s people with fidelity and devotion for many years to come.
The Most Reverend Sean P. O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap.
February 10, 2004
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