Nashville native ordained as diocese's new bishop

Published: 2006-03-01

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- In his first greeting to the people of the Diocese of Nashville, Bishop David R. Choby quoted a line in the novel "The Diary of a Country Priest." In the novel, as a priest lies dying of cancer, he tells his friend, "Everything is grace." "Everything is grace has been revealed to me in your love for me," Bishop Choby said at the end of the Mass for his episcopal ordination and installation as the 11th bishop of Nashville Feb. 27. "I am a blessed man. I am a fortunate bishop to have such a wonderful people to shepherd," said Bishop Choby, 59, a native of Nashville and only the second priest of the diocese appointed as its bishop in the diocese's 169-year history. More than 900 people filled the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville for the Mass and nearly 400 watched it on closed-circuit television in the cathedral's parish center. It was the first time a priest had been ordained a bishop at the cathedral since it was dedicated 92 years ago.

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