By Thea Jarvis

News of Archbishop-Designate James P. Lyke's appointment drew comments of pride, praise and relief from local and national figures in the church community.

Bishop Joseph A. Francis, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Newark, said he was delighted that Archbishop-Designate Lyke had been confirmed.

"It posed a great deal of concern to me, and African-American Catholics in general, when there was a long delay in making the appointment," he said.

The fact that Bishop Lyke was apostolic administrator did not insure a designation as archbishop, Bishop Francis pointed out. "As the months passed, we were becoming concerned." With Bishop Lyke's recent illness, "our concerns grew."

Bishop Francis said that in all of Bishop Lyke's priestly life, from his campus ministry at Grambling State University in Louisiana to his work as auxiliary bishop of Cleveland, he has "demonstrated clearly his leadership capability, his love for the Church, and his sensitivity to the poor"

His "general demeanor as a bishop," said Bishop Francis, "has been most edifying."

Within the past year, he said, Bishop Lyke came into "a no-win situation" in Atlanta and "handled himself capably. I don't know if anyone could have done better than Bishop Lyke has done."

He was able to work through difficulties "with God's help and his native talent and brilliance," he said. "He certainly deserved to be archbishop of Atlanta."

Part of Bishop Francis' pride in the appointment stems from the fact that he has been a mentor to Bishop Lyke.

"We've been in constant contact and communication over the years, and over the last several months especially," he said. "I wish him every good blessing. I know the people of Atlanta will come to love Bishop Lyke as they came to love Archbishop Marino."

Cardinal James Hickey, archbishop of Washington, D.C., who ordained Bishop Lyke his auxiliary in 1979 in Cleveland, extended warm congratulations.

Citing Bishop Lyke's "love for the Lord and His Church, his love of the people, his warm sense of humor and his courageous and forthright leadership," he said he would be "an extraordinary shepherd of the faithful."

Franciscan Spirit

"As a Franciscan, he brings a joyful spirit to his ministry, together with a genuine love for the poor and the oppressed. As an African-American, he has already reached out in service to the black Catholic community," Cardinal Hickey said. "At the same time, he has helped the Church in the United States to recognize the special gifts which African-Americans bring to our life of faith, worship and service."

The cardinal noted that Bishop Lyke "met difficult challenges" while building on the foundation of his predecessors, "especially Archbishop Donnellan and Archbishop Marino."

Bishop Anthony M. Pilla of the diocese of Cleveland said the archbishop-designate is "an outstanding bishop, as his 11-year leadership in the urban region of the Diocese of Cleveland testifies."

Bishop Pilla remarked that Bishop Lyke is "well equipped for great responsibility and personal pastoral care." His appointment, he said, was also "a great honor to our African-American brothers and sisters."

"I am personally very pleased that he has been named the archbishop of Atlanta, for he has so many gifts to offer and so much love for the Lord and the Church to share."

Father Robert J. Karris, OFM, provincial minister of Bishop Lyke's Franciscan province of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis, expressed his community's "deep joy, our great happiness, our congratulations." He said the archbishop-designate "always has a place in our heart, our memory, our prayers. He always has our support."

Ovations

Father Henry Gracz, archdiocesan vicar for clergy who was in Baltimore attending a National Black Catholic Conference workshop said participants gave a standing ovation when news of the appointment was announced Tuesday morning, April 30.

"I'm exuberant," said Father Gracz, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. "He is a man who has a tremendous vision of Church. He has rooted himself in pastoral experience and wants to collaborate with people. When he speaks, people are impressed by his clarity, his spirituality, his wisdom and his compassion."

Father Al Jowdy, chairman of the acting archdiocesan council of priests, was in Orlando attending the annual meeting of the National Federation of Priests' Councils when news of the appointment was released. Father Jowdy had an official announcement made to the delegates present and reaction was positive.

"It was an ovation for him," Father Jowdy said. "Priests around the country have shared the pain of the Atlanta Church. Their applause was a sharing and a sign of affection for Bishop Lyke."

Personally, Father Jowdy felt "relief that the long time of waiting is over." Bishop Lyke has offered "great leadership" in the sede vacante period, he said, and now "we can move ahead with the priests' council, the archdiocesan pastoral council, with the plans and visions he has shared with us."

"I am delighted by the choice because Bishop Lyke came into a very painful situation and has shown great sensitivity to the pain of the Church but hasn't shrunk from the big challenges that face the local Church."

The appointment is "an affirmation of the hard work he's begun here," said Father Jowdy.

Local Comment

Rhonwyn Rogers, director of the Office for Black Catholic Ministry, said she thought Archbishop-Designate Lyke's appointment "will give us the opportunity to experience a new heart and continue our journey. I'm excited to be living in these times and working with our Church."

She said the appointment was reassuring because the archbishop-designate "is not like a stranger to us. He's been here, been a part of our archdiocesan family. We've had the opportunity to know and respect his abilities and capabilities, to share his vision."

Father Edward Dillon, vicar general of the archdiocese, saw the appointment as a move forward for the archdiocese out of "a holding pattern." While Bishop Lyke has taken an "aggressive approach" as apostolic administrator, now that he has been appointed archbishop, "We can get on with the business of being a diocese," Father Dillon said. "I think it's a great relief."

Sister Margaret McAnoy, IHM, president of the Atlanta Conference of Sisters said she spoke for herself and other Religious in the conference in looking forward to "sharing with him as he ministers in the archdiocese."

Father Richard Kieran, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Atlanta, was "very happy the appointment was finally made." He said he was anxious to move forward in working for the future of the Church with Archbishop-Designate Lyke.

"He has many wonderful gifts he brings to the Church in north Georgia," Father Kieran said.

Catholic Center staff and several pastors were present at a 10 a.m. press conference April 30 during which Archbishop-Designate Lyke made a formal statement and took questions from the press.

Catholic Social Services director Steve Brazen was pleased with Bishop Lyke's remarks on his Franciscan commitment to the disenfranchised, the unempowered.

"Since we work with the poor, the marginalized, we welcome this mandate," Brazen said. The archbishop-designate "is very much aware of the needs and dreams the department has for expanding its ministry. He has a list of our goals and has talked to people about how to find resources to meet them. I was delighted when I heard the good news of his appointment."

Father Jim Miceli, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Rome, said the appointment would provide a stabilizing influence for the archdiocese.

"He has proven himself a very pastoral man, supportive of the priests, and a capable administrator," Father Miceli said, adding that the past 10 months have afforded Bishop Lyke an opportunity to get to know the local Church.

Mike McNamara, chief financial officer of the archdiocese, expressed his admiration for the archbishop-designate.

"I think the appointment is great," he said. "He's prudent in finances, but doesn't let finance dictate what he is going to do in the archdiocese. He does the planing and appropriating according to our means. He's very easy to work with. He understands finances."

(Paula Day contributed to this report.)