New Salina bishop called to be clear teacher, gentle shepherd

Published: 2005-01-25

SALINA, Kan. (CNS) -- A bishop is called to be a clear teacher, a gentle shepherd and a holy priest, Archbishop James P. Keleher said at the episcopal ordination of the new head of the Salina Diocese. Bishop Paul S. Coakley, former vice chancellor of the Wichita Diocese, was ordained and installed as the 10th bishop of Salina at Sacred Heart Cathedral Dec. 28 before a crowd estimated at 1,200 people. Those in attendance included 19 bishops from throughout the United States and nearly 200 priests from Salina and surrounding dioceses. The principal consecrator and celebrant for the ordination Mass was Archbishop Keleher of Kansas City. (On Jan. 17 the archbishop retired as head of the archdiocese.) "Vatican II suggests that the bishop's calling asks for three things -- a man who will teach the Gospel clearly; a man who will be a gentle shepherd to the faithful committed to his care; and a priest of holy life," the archbishop said in his homily.

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