Archbishop Gregory To Shepherd Atlanta Archdiocese

MARY ANNE CASTRANIO, Executive Editor

Published: December 16, 2004

Archbishop Wilton Gregory takes questions from the press during a Dec. 9 press conference announcing him as the new archbishop of Atlanta. Archbishop Gregory becomes the sixth archbishop since Atlanta became an archdiocese in 1962. (Photo by Michael Alexander)

ATLANTA—Amidst the Advent season of waiting and praying, the long-expected, yet unexpected, news finally came, winging across the ocean from Rome: The Archdiocese of Atlanta has a new archbishop.

Before dawn on Thursday morning, Dec. 9, the news broke, as the marvels of lightning-fast technology brought the announcement from Rome to Atlanta almost as soon as the appointment from Pope John Paul II was made public.

On the afternoon of that same day, in the big conference room at the Catholic Center on West Peachtree Street, reporters, photographers and camera crews waited with anticipation to hear and record the formal announcement from the archdiocese. More than 30 priests of the archdiocese stood at the back of the room, waiting to meet their new archbishop, someone most had seen only on television during a painful period in the history of the church.

Archbishop John F. Donoghue, smiling and calm, walked down the long hallway at the Catholic Center to the room, followed closely by his successor, the vicars general and other members of his staff. Their arrival at the press conference was marked by a spate of applause.

Archbishop Donoghue went to the podium and, in his usual dignified, low-key style, shared the highly anticipated news: “Today I am very honored to announce that the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has named Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Ill., as the sixth archbishop and the seventh bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. On this historic day, the Archdiocese of Atlanta is blessed to have a bishop who is respected as a leader by all of the bishops of the United States as its new shepherd.”

Noting that Archbishop Gregory is “admired and respected by his brother bishops and priests for his expertise on liturgy, preaching, leadership, authenticity to the teachings of the faith and, most significantly, his personal prayerfulness,” Archbishop Donoghue also shared a few simple words about his own time in Atlanta. He had submitted his resignation, in accordance with canon law, in August 2003 when he had reached the age of 75. The pope accepted it on Dec. 9, 2004.

Archbishop John F. Donoghue speaks at the press conference and introduces his successor. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

With restrained emotion, Archbishop Donoghue said, “It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as the archbishop of Atlanta for the past 11 years,” noting that he has been “extremely happy” here. The archbishop thanked his “brother priests, especially … vicars general Msgr. R. Donald Kiernan and Msgr. Paul Reynolds.” He alluded to the trials of the past few years in the church, as “the turbulent times for many priests.” During the sex abuse crisis in the church, he said, “I have been surrounded by a wonderful group of holy men committed to assisting me in my role as archbishop.”

Archbishop Donoghue then introduced Archbishop Gregory, who, in addition to his 11 years of leadership in Belleville and previously in Chicago as an auxiliary bishop, had just completed a three-year term as the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during the time the church had begun to deal with the sexual abuse crisis in America. He has been widely praised for his forthright, compassionate and even handling of the crisis.

Archbishop Gregory then stepped to the podium.

“Today I accept the appointment of Pope John Paul II to become the sixth archbishop of Atlanta with profound gratitude for the confidence he has placed in me.”

He added that following in the service of Archbishop Donoghue was a “particular grace” and that he “looked forward to working with him and learning from him.”

To the people of Georgia, Archbishop Gregory remarked that he was “pleased to become a loyal citizen of Atlanta and a proud resident of the state of Georgia.”

He thanked the “extraordinary” people of Belleville, where he had served as bishop for the past 11 years.

With gentle intensity, Archbishop Gregory said, “I enter this new assignment eager to learn about the people of the archdiocese, to listen to their dreams and aspirations, and above all to encourage all of us toward a deeper love for Jesus Christ.”

Before the 1:30 p.m. press conference Archbishop Gregory chats with (clockwise from left) Msgr. James Fennessy, pastor of St. Jude Church, Atlanta, Msgr. Henry Gracz, pastor of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta, and Archbishop John F. Donoghue.

Promising to work in collaboration with the community, he showed an understanding of the numerous heritages and cultures of the people of the archdiocese by promising that he would “learn to reverence the rich traditions and heritages of all its people.”

He pledged his “talents and energy” to the church in Atlanta with a heartfelt and humble reliance on God’s grace, under the patronage of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Following Archbishop Gregory’s remarks, reporters were permitted to ask questions, many of which centered on the sex abuse crisis.

Asked about how his service with the bishops’ conference had prepared him for his new assignment, Archbishop Gregory answered, “Certainly the last three years involved me with a lot of difficult situations. But it also gave me a profound respect for the bishops of the United States whom I saw working in very, very collaborative ways to face a very serious moment in the life of the church in the United States.”

He continued, “It also increased my respect for the lay people, who have been so deeply affected by the issues that we have confronted over the last three years, and for the goodness of Catholic priests, who have suffered because of the unfortunate incidents of some and the lack of proper attention on the part of some of those who were responsible for their ministry.”

When asked about the adequacy of the bishops’ response to the crisis, Archbishop Gregory said, “My first response is I wish that it hadn’t happened at all. To have any child harmed is a great travesty. I wish that we had been quicker in our response, but I am very proud of what we have done because I think in the long run the steps that the Catholic Church has taken over the past three years will serve the whole society where the issue of child abuse is a difficulty in all venues.”

He took the reins in Belleville during a critical episode in that diocese’s history, and he was quick to point out that the faith of the people in Belleville is strong. He asserted, “We must do everything to ensure the safety of children.”

Asked whether the problem was solved, he answered, “We are beginning … The solution is not a program but constant vigilance.”

Archbishop Wilton Gregory, right, meets Father Guillermo Cordoba, parochial vicar at St. Benedict Church, Duluth, during a light reception with his brother priests from around the archdiocese.

Another question involved disenfranchised Catholics and how he might reach out to them. Archbishop Gregory said, “First of all my heart and my office will be open to people. There is no program to solve the problem of Catholics who may feel disenfranchised. There was no program that perhaps led to their disenfranchisement. But careful pastoral attention to individuals is the best approach … There is only careful pastoral solicitude that brings people back to the church.”

He answered a question about spirituality by saying, “I hope to increase the Catholic faith among those who profess the Catholic faith. I hope to work in an ecumenical and inter-religious way with members of all other churches and religious traditions. I hope to learn and to respect that faith that is already present.”

He continued, “You may know, I was the auxiliary bishop (in Chicago) for Cardinal (Joseph) Bernardin for 10 wonderful years, who was the first auxiliary of this archdiocese. He told me, in stories, of his love for the faith of the people in Atlanta, and I hope to discover what he found so precious during his time here.”

When questioned about his intention to work with leaders of other faiths and in the arena of civil rights, Archbishop Gregory stated that he “hopes to work with everyone and to improve life for people in Atlanta.” He has no agenda for the archdiocese but offers “an open heart and a willingness to dialogue.”

One particular point of interest was his experience with the Hispanic population. He spoke a few words in Spanish, mentioning that “I do celebrate (Mass) in Spanish, and I will work on that.”

One reporter asked about his unique management style, which he “brings to the table” in Atlanta. Archbishop Gregory responded, “You flatter me by saying that I have a management style. I try to work hard. I enjoy my work.” He noted that he believes in delegating responsibility, “trying not to micromanage,” and “supporting those with special responsibilities.”

“I just like to be with people,” said the new archbishop, sharing that he favors the pastoral part of his ministry rather than the administrative.

Toward the end of the press conference, a reporter asked why had he wanted to come to Atlanta. Archbishop Gregory replied, simply, “I wanted to come here because Pope John Paul II said, ‘Go there.’” His statement was greeted with laughter from the back of the room where the priests stood listening.

Archbishop Gregory meets members of the human resources staff during a tour of the Catholic Center.

Following the press conference, the new archbishop met with the priests of the archdiocese who were present at a small reception and then walked with Archbishop Donoghue through the three floors of the Catholic Center to meet his new employees.

His installation is set for Monday, Jan. 17, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, at 1:30 p.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.

Bishop Wilton Gregory is introduced as the new archbishop of Atlanta during an afternoon press conference Dec. 9.