New Detroit archbishop becomes head of archdiocese: I see 'Christ in you'
Holding a tall shepherd's staff in his left hand, Archbishop of Detroit Allen Vigneron stood in front of Bishop Edward Weisenburger in the sanctuary of the seat of the Catholic Church in Detroit. Weisenburger grasped the staff with his right hand and then sat down into a chair with a high back known as a cathedra. With that symoblic move, the 64-year-old priest became the new Catholic archbishop of Detroit as the crowd of nearly 900 people applauded inside the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the smell of incense in the air.
The scene inside the house of worship on Woodward Avenue featured ceremonies that Catholics have held for centuries, filled with detailed rituals that symbolized the transfer of power and authority among the leaders of the largest religious group in metro Detroit. Weisenburger now leads more than 900,000 Catholics in a six-county region that has seen membership declines, but still has a committed faithful dedicated to ensuring the Church has a vital presence in Detroit.
During his homily, Weisenburger spoke about the importance of love, describing the dialogue between Christ and Peter.
"Jesus, three times, asked Peter, three times: 'Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?' " Weisenburger said in his 20-minute remarks that described different translations of the word love, such as "agape" and "philos."
"I find myself standing before you today and seeing Christ in you," he said. "I feel as though I owe you my response, no less than Peter. I, too, am a sinner with plenty of failings, foolish mistakes and errors in my history, no less than Peter ... my love for Jesus is probably still a little imperfect, but if we are to begin a new twist or turn in this journey of discipleship together, then I invite you to come along with me, and I will promise to come along with you."
Weisenburger, who has been outspoken in support of immigrants during his time as bishop in southern Arizona, avoided political and social issues in his remarks, but suggested that love and compassion will be a central part of his mission in Michigan.
"The great question: 'Do you love me?' " he said. "Perhaps the only question in the end that really matters, and the ... response in our lives will make all the difference. May the best of answers well up from within us with a powerful affirmative: Yes, Lord, you know that I love you and I will feed your sheep."
New archbishop of Detroit: We have to 'see Christ' in immigrants
The event included Catholic leaders from across Michigan and the U.S, as well as Protestant, Orthodox Christian, and Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Joseph Krakoff, the former religious leader at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, the largest Conservative synagogue in Michigan. Weisenburger greeted them as they walked onto the sanctuary, briefly conversing with them and others during the two-hour ceremony called the Mass of Installation. Two speakers gave brief remarks in Spanish.
Weisenburger began his homily by praising Pope Francis, who selected him last month to lead the Detroit archdiocese and was hospitalized recently.
"His prophetic and profoundly loving witness to Jesus Christ and his gospel inspires me daily," Weisenburger said of Pope Francis. "I have found that committed Catholics, people of other faiths and people of no faith, look at him and almost universally conclude he's the real thing. ... His personal witness of what a disciple can be, has moved the hearts and minds of millions around the world. I'm so delighted his health is improving, and I pray that his voice and witness will continue to bless our world for many years to come."
Michael Hovey, the former coordinator for ecumenical and interfaith relations for the Detroit archdiocese, was moved by Weisenburger's remarks.
"He brought tears to my eyes," Hovey told the Free Press after the Mass. "It was so profound, and yet he said it so simply. He said it in words that we can understand. I think he's going to be really wonderful for the diocese."
Vigneron, 76, who received sustained applause when Weisenburger praised his work, now has the title of archbishop emeritus and will live at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.
Vigneron "was a good person to work with, but he's very different," Hovey said. "He's an academic. It's very intellectual, and that's fine. There are gifts with that. But I think our new Archbishop is going to have such an open heart that it's going to be wonderful for people. I think people are going to fall in love with him."
Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Edward Weisenburger, new archbishop of Detroit, assumes power in Mass
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