By Michael Motes

TULSA -- Claiming that he has "no unique talent or ability in responding to this call of the Lord," the Archdiocese of Atlanta's immediate past Vicar General, Eusebius Joseph Beltran, addressed the hundreds of archbishops, bishops, abbots, priests, family members and friends who filled to overflowing capacity the Holy Family Cathedral to witness the Ordination Mass of the Diocese of Tulsa's second bishop.

"I seek no special recognition or material satisfaction," the nation's newest bishop states. "I know that the Lord uses the weak things of the world as His instruments. And so I place myself into His hands and respond in the words of the prophet, 'Here am I Lord, I come to do Your will.'"

The Bishop of Tulsa said, "There have been many happy days in my life. In fact my life, despite the ordinary failures and frustrations, has been one happy experience. But tonight a greater joy and peace has come over me than ever before. Because of my faith in Jesus Christ and in His Church, I know that the call which Pope Paul VI has given me, to serve the Church of Tulsa as its Bishop, is the will of Almighty God. I am confident, too, that God's grace and help will be abundantly available to assist me daily in this ministry of love and service.

"I thank my mother for the example of faith she has always given. I am grateful to my brothers and sisters for their lifelong support, encouragement and help. To the archbishop, the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Atlanta I express my appreciation for years of happiness in priestly service. I have much gratitude for all my relatives and friends everywhere. And to the faithful people of the Diocese of Tulsa I am thankful for your optimistic welcome as God's instrument who will shepherd in your midst.

"We live today in a world where there is much confusion, crises and contradictions. There is warfare, injustice and greed. But it is to us in this world that Jesus comes and says, 'Take courage, I am with you.' The presence of Jesus Christ in our midst is the fulfillment of His divine promise to be with His Church all days -- even to the consummation of the world.

"I rejoice then to be called to serve in the Church. I renew my pledge to be diligent in upholding the teachings of the sacred scriptures and the Catholic Church in union with our Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ. I will strive to lead the Church of Tulsa in witnessing to His presence of Jesus in our midst.

"Therefore, I earnestly, yet humbly, ask you my fellow Bishops, priests, family, friends and people to pray for me always that God will find me a suitable instrument; that I may fulfill His will, and that together we shall form the family of God's people for 'We Are One In Christ.'"

The response to the bishop's remarks was enthusiastic, but enthusiasm had been a vital part of the ceremony since its beginning more than two hours earlier.

As the lengthy procession entered the cathedral, the congregation burst into applause as Bishop Beltran appeared. More than two dozen archbishops, bishops and abbots; some 200 priests and Archbishop Jean Jadot, Apostolic Delegate in the United States followed the acolytes who carried massive silver candelabrum.

The principal consecrator was Archbishop Charles Salatka of Oklahoma City. Among the consecrating bishops were the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Donnellan of Atlanta; Bishop Raymond Lessard of Savannah; Bishop Andrew McDonald of Little Rock; Bishop Bernard Ganter of Beaumont, Texas, whom Bishop Beltran succeeds, and Archbishop John Quinn of San Francisco, President of the United States Catholic Conference-National Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCC-NCCB).

Also present was an African bishop, Bishop Boniface Dalieh, Apostolic Vicar of Cape Palmas, Liberia. Bishop Beltran's sister has served as a missionary in Liberia.

Adding dignity to the processional were Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher dressed in medieval costume. More than five minutes passed before the processional ended and the Bishops and priests in attendance were seated.

Serving as Ministers to Archbishop Jadot were Father Jerry Hardy, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and Father Dennis Dorney, Chancellor of the Diocese of Tulsa. Ministers to Archbishop Salatka were Father Richard Morrow, pastor of Saint Jude's in Atlanta, and Monsignor Cecil Finn of Tulsa. Ministers to Bishop Beltran were his brother, Father Joseph Beltran, pastor of All Saints, and Father Bernard Jewitt of Tulsa.

Bishop Beltran's family was also represented in the ceremony by Sister Mary Sponsa Beltran as a Minister of the Word, who gave the first reading from Isaiah, "The Lord has anointed me and sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly."

Mrs. Helen Beltran, the bishop's mother; Sister Sponsa; Miss Helen Marie Beltran; Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Cebulski; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Carrier; Mr. and Mrs. Carey Florence; Mrs. and Mrs. Frank J. Beltran, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Simons were family members serving as bearers of the Offertory Gifts. Assisting them was Mrs. Helen Berlew, a long-time family friend who resides with Mrs. Beltran in Decatur.

Early in the ceremony, Archbishop Salatka addressed the congregation, saying that Bishop Beltran was called upon to be "a prophet in the original sense of the word" and that he must "fully represent what the office expects of him."

Following the reading of the Gospel, the Apostolic Delegate brought the greetings of the Holy Father to the congregation. After reading Pope Paul's praise of Bishop Ganter, Archbishop Jadot stated, "May his successor be as effective as the predecessor." This was received with loud applause from the audience.

"As the representative of the Holy Father, it will be my pleasant duty to present the document naming Eusebius Joseph Beltran as a Bishop," Archbishop Jadot concluded and was again met with lengthy applause.

In reading the Apostolic Mandate, dated February 17, 1978, the "outstanding personal spirituality" and pastoral experience of Bishop Beltran were cited and again the audience applauded.

Following this, the bishop-elect was questioned by Archbishop Salatka, the principal consecrator, who stated, "An age-old custom of the Fathers decrees that a bishop-elect is to be questioned before the people on his resolve to keep the faith and discharge his duties.

"Beloved brother, are you resolved by the grace of the Holy Spirit to discharge to the end of your life the office entrusted to us by the apostles which is about to be passed on to you by the imposition of our hands?"

"I am," the bishop-elect stated.

"Are you resolved to be faithful and constant in proclaiming the gospel of Christ?"

"I am."

"Are you resolved to maintain the content of faith, entire and uncorrupted, as handed down by the apostles and professed by the Church at all times and places?"

"I am."

"Are you resolved to build up the Church as the body of Christ and to remain united to it by your link with the order of bishops under the authority of the successor of St. Peter the Apostle?"

"I am."

"Are you resolved to be loyal in your obedience to the successor of St. Peter the Apostle?"

"I am."

"Are you resolved as a devoted father to sustain the people of God in cooperation with the priest and deacons who share your ministry and to guide them in the way of salvation?"

"I am."

"Are you resolved as a devoted father to sustain the people of God in cooperation with the priests and deacons who share your ministry and to guide them in the way of salvation?"

"I am."

"Are you resolved to show kindness and compassion in the name of the Lord to the poor and to strangers and to all who are in need?"

"I am."

"Are you resolved as a good shepherd to seek out the sheep who stray and to gather them into the fold of the Lord?"

"I am."

"Are you resolved to pray without ceasing for the people of God and to carry out the highest duties of the priesthood in such a way as to afford no grounds for reproof?"

"I am, with the help of God."

The questioning concluded, the Liturgy of the Saints followed, with the new bishop prostrate before the principal consecrator and the consecrating bishops.

Archbishop Salatka then went to the bishop-elect and laid his hands upon his head. Following the principal consecrator, all of the nearly 30 bishops did the same.

After the laying on of hands, Archbishop Salatka opened the Book of Gospels and placed the book above the head of the bishop-elect. Two deacons held the book above his head during the Prayer of Consecration.

The anointing, presentation of the Book of Gospels and investiture with ring, miter and staff followed. The miter was a gift from Father John Adamski, who succeeded Bishop Beltran as pastor of Saint Anthony's. It was made of off-white raw silk by Brother John Albert of the Trappist Monastery in Conyers. The staff was a gift from a group of priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Bishop Beltran's classmates from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia presented him with his Episcopal Cross.

After the staff was presented, the newly-ordained bishop was led by the Apostolic Delegate and principal consecrator to the cathedral chair. The audience rose to acclaim the new bishop, who then offered fraternal greetings. Approximately 25 representatives of the clergy and people of the Diocese of Tulsa then approached Bishop Beltran and welcomed him.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist followed, with Bishop Beltran as principal celebrant. The ceremony concluded with the Apostolic Blessing and the recessional.

Among the groups providing music for the Ordination Mass was the Saint Anthony's parish choir under the direction of Vicki Jackson, who performed "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," "Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates," "Somebody's Calling My Name" and "Jacob's Ladder." Other participating groups included the Tulsa Boy Singers and the Choir of Jesuit Novices. Over two-dozen musical selections were a part of the ceremony.

Bishop Beltran was then greeted at a public reception at the First Christ Church of Tulsa and later at a private reception for archbishops, bishops, abbots, clergy, family members and guests from Georgia.