New Atlanta archbishop says he is eager to start job

Published: 2004-12-10

ATLANTA (CNS) -- In his opening remarks at a press conference Dec. 9, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, just named head of the Atlanta Archdiocese, said that he was "pleased to become a loyal citizen of Atlanta and a proud resident of the state of Georgia." "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," he said. The 57-year-old prelate, immediate past president of the U.S. bishops' conference and head of the Diocese of Belleville, Ill., for nearly 11 years, was named to Atlanta Dec. 9 by Pope John Paul II. He will replace Archbishop John F. Donoghue, 76, whose retirement was accepted by the pope the same day. He had headed the archdiocese since 1993.

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