Former Lutheran pastor who is a father and grandfather to be ordained

Published: 2006-03-24

WILMINGTON, Del. (CNS) -- At a dramatic moment in Leonard Klein's ordination as a deacon last summer, 3-year-old Madeleine Hollenbeck was heard asking: "Why is Grandfather sleeping on the floor?" But Deacon Klein wasn't sleeping; as part of the ordination rite, he was lying prostrate in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Wilmington to demonstrate his obedience to the church. Deacon Klein, 60, will repeat that act April 1 at the cathedral when Wilmington Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli ordains him a Catholic priest. And as the presence of Madeleine and other members of his family will show, this ordination will be different. For the first time in its nearly 140-year history, the Diocese of Wilmington will have a married man as a Catholic priest. Joining him at the cathedral will be his wife of almost 37 years, Christa; their three adult children, Maria, Renate and Nicholas; and two grandchildren (a third is expected near ordination day). His wife and daughters are scheduled to bring up the offertory gifts.

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