Abbey-Roads2

Peter.

It was just announced a friend of mine was appointed  Bishop.  I am not at all surprised.  I’ve known him since his first assignment after ordination, and he soon became my regular confessor, and a friendship developed from there.

When he was appointed to the minor seminary as rector, we lost touch, except for a few meetings regarding our art, both of us are painters.  When he was appointed pastor at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul, we resumed our friendship for a short time, until other pursuits caused us to lose touch again.  He is a very hard worker, devoting all of his energies to the task at hand.  A good administrator, terrific manager, and caring pastor.

Beckett 

He is a good man.  I chose the image of Thomas Becket since he reminds me somewhat of the saint in his early days in many ways.  He is a highly cultured man, fond of good food and fine wines, albeit the model of temperance.  His sense of art and design is nearly impeccable.  He is very sensitive to liturgical design and music as well.

He loves to travel, and is something of a sailing enthusiast, so his appointment to the Superior diocese is an excellent choice.  He loves gardening, yet landscape is perhaps a keener instinct - complimenting his design skills.  He understands architecture and design.

A good choice.

A commenter on another weblog carrying the announcement of his appointment asked, “Is this a good thing?”  Of course it is.  The appointment of a Bishop should always be received with joy and optimism.  Father’s vocation and experience has prepared him very well for this appointment.  The appointment of Bishops has often been regarded as somewhat political, in so far  as the principals must recommend the right man for the position.

A local ordinary, Bishop Bullock was very influential in the vocation of Father.  Throughout his ministry, Father has been in the sightline of many influencial people.  Being an outgoing, social man, he naturally attracted people from all walks of life to himself.  Without any self-promotion, because he really is a humble man, his friendship and advice was frequently sought out.

A spiritual man.

Father is neither a liberal or a conservative, while I expect he hates those terms, he is decidedly a moderate.  Though some may describe him as approaching worldly - this is a misunderstanding.  Despite his being rather sophisticated to the ways of the world, the focus of his life is indeed the Church and serving the faithful is his greatest devotion.

In my opinion, his spirituality may best be described as liturgical.  While he has a fine sense of justice and equity, directing souls along the paths of their personal piety.  He is a man always available to each and everyone who seeks his help.  He just recently dropped everything to visit a man dying of cancer at the man’s home.  The man had left the Church years ago, angry at a priest; Father went to his side immediately - to reconcile the Church with the man, and then, the man with the Church.

I can’t say enough good about him, and I am so proud to know him.  Like Thomas Beckett, I’m convinced the grace of his vocation will flower and come to fruition in this new appointment.  He will grow even more in holiness and faith, and will surely discharge his duties with extraordinary skill, growing in wisdom and grace.

God bless Bishop-elect Peter F. Christensen.  Congratulations, prayers and warmest best wishes!

And congratulations to the people of the diocese of Superior, Wisconsin - you have been gifted with a very good Bishop-elect, you will not be disappointed.  Praise God!

The official notice:

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2007 (VIS) – The Holy Father:

 - Appointed Fr. Peter F. Christensen of the clergy of the archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, U.S.A., pastor of the parish of the Nativity of Our Lord, as bishop of Superior (area 40,701, population 443,209, Catholics 81,885, priests 71, permanent deacons 57, religious 104), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Pasadena, U.S.A., in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1985. He succeeds Bishop Raphael Michael Fliss, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

Art:  St. Thomas Becket