Franciscan ordained as auxiliary bishop for Milwaukee Archdiocese

Published: 2007-12-27

MILWAUKEE (CNS) -- Conventual Franciscan Father William Patrick Callahan, 57, was ordained the sixth auxiliary bishop in the history of the Milwaukee Archdiocese Dec. 21 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee. Noting that the ordination took place on what nature views as the day of least light in the year, "supernature tells us that this is the day the Lord has made, that, at least in this Archdiocese of Milwaukee, we have abundant light," said Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, one of two ordaining archbishops. "We bask in radiance, we heed Zephaniah and 'shout for joy,' we are confident that while the sun -- s-u-n -- may be in hiding, the Son -- s-o-n -- is shining, as we thank God for the gift of a new bishop," he said during his homily. On hand for the nearly two-hour ceremony were Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba, retired Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, co-ordaining Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, N.J., and 20 visiting archbishops, bishops, abbots and monsignors.

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