Diversity in evidence as Minnesota archdiocese welcomes coadjutor

Published: 2007-07-05

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- The Mass welcoming Archbishop John C. Nienstedt as the new coadjutor archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis seemed to echo the vision written in Latin on his coat of arms: "That they may all be one" (Jn 17:21). About 3,000 people, representing races and cultures from across the archdiocese, came to the Cathedral of St. Paul June 29 to celebrate the historic Mass, which lasted nearly three hours. Bishops and priests, many from throughout the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, dressed in red vestments in honor and recognition of the feast day of the apostles Peter and Paul. Cardinals Justin Rigali of Philadelphia and Adam J. Maida of Detroit joined Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Archbishop Nienstedt, Auxiliary Bishop Richard E. Pates and others at the altar. Archbishop Nienstedt received thunderous applause and a standing ovation from the congregation after Msgr. Martin Krebs, charge d'affaires at the apostolic nunciature in Washington, read a letter from Pope Benedict XVI naming him as coadjutor archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

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