New bishop for Superior, Wis., ordained in Minnesota cathedral

Published: 2007-09-21

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- In remarks at his episcopal ordination Mass in St. Paul, the new bishop of the Diocese of Superior, Wis., first thanked the children of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in St. Paul, which he had served as pastor since 1999. The children are the future of the church, Bishop Peter F. Christensen said, adding that they had prayed for the last-minute arrival from overseas of his crosier for the ordination. The shepherd's staff, which was a gift from his Nativity parishioners, was missing somewhere between Europe and St. Paul, but it arrived the morning of the Sept. 14 ordination at the Cathedral of St. Paul. He thanked the bishops who traveled from all over to attend the ordination, saying that he is proud to call them brothers. He thanked the priests, expressing his gratitude for every one of them. "You have shown me what it means to be a priest. I see you (as being) much more deserving of this (bishop's appointment). Thank you my brother priests," he said. Nary a seat was left in the 3,000-seat cathedral, which was filled with family, friends and soon-to-be members of his flock in Wisconsin.

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