Laity and clergy express pleasure about new auxiliary bishop

Videographers and reporters from Indianapolis television stations and newspapers participate in a Jan. 14 press conference at St. John the Evangelist Church in Indianapolis as Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein introduces Bishop-designate Christopher J. Coyne. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)

By Mike Krokos

J. Patrick Byrne drove more than 100 miles one way on the morning of Jan. 14 to witness history.

But Byrne admits that he didn’t know exactly why he was invited from his southern Indiana home to St. John the Evangelist Church in Indianapolis that day.

“I knew there was going to be an important message,” said Byrne, a member of the Catholic Community Foundation’s board of directors, “and the archbishop asked us to attend.”

That announcement turned out to be the appointment of Bishop-designate Christopher J. Coyne as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

The Jeffersonville businessman and member of St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Parish in Floyd County said that he was pleased to be able to learn the news firsthand.

“I wasn’t sure what the agenda was going to be [at the news conference], but I’m really happy,” Byrne said. “He [Bishop-designate Coyne] really seems to be a great choice.

“He seems to be a real person—just his spirit,” Byrne said. “I didn’t feel like he was selling us anything. He shared himself with us. He seems to be … very committed to his faith. I think he’s going to be a good leader.”

Byrne, who just completed his third year on the Catholic Community Foundation board, said the mileage that separates parts of the archdiocese does not adversely affect the local Church’s efforts to build up the body of Christ.

“There’s no doubt,” he said. “We’re all one faith community. The distance is not an issue.”

Father Eric Johnson, the archdiocesan director of vocations, was among the more than 30 priests who attended the press conference.

He said that Archbishop Buechlein has indicated “that he would like Bishop-designate Coyne to have the opportunity to meet with and get to know the seminarians as quickly as possible.

“We will, of course, be bringing them up [from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology] for the ordination,” Father Johnson said, “and look forward to having him work with us in the future.”

Father Stephen Giannini, the director of priest personnel for the archdiocese, said he met Bishop-designate Coyne the day before the press conference.

“When we were talking, [Bishop-designate Coyne] was very concerned about our parishioners, our priests, our employees and our parishes,” Father Giannini said. “He also showed he has a great background as a pastor, and in working in the Archdiocese of Boston. He knows the good questions.”

St. Joan of Arc parishioner Joseph Rivelli of Indianapolis frequently attends daily Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church during his lunch break from his job downtown. He also assists there as a lector, altar server and extraordinary minister of holy Communion.

“Obviously, we love the archbishop,” Rivelli said, “and we’re just praying that he stays healthy as long as he can. To have a younger bishop here … I think is a good thing. I’m excited to meet him. He’ll be living here.”

St. Susanna parishioner Donna Poole of Plainfield also works downtown and sometimes attends daily Mass at lunchtime at St. John Church.

“I’m hoping that [Bishop-designate Coyne will] have a great effect on [the life of the] archdiocese,” Poole said. “I think he’ll be good.”

(Reporter Sean Gallagher assisted with this story.) †

 

(Click here for more coverage and photos of the appointment of Bishop-designate Christopher J. Coyne)