Our New Auxiliary Bishop

Archdiocese is getting an auxiliary bishop with many gifts, friend says

Bishop-designate Christopher J. Coyne, center, poses during a recent dinner at his Westwood, Mass., rectory with Father Leroy Owen, from left, Msgr. Peter Conley, Father John Grimes, Father William Burkhardt and Father John Sullivan. During his time as the pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Westwood, Bishop-designate Coyne fostered priestly fraternity by frequently hosting dinners with fellow priests on Saturday evenings. (Submitted photo)

By Msgr. Peter Conley (Special to The Criterion)

BOSTON—We in Boston were surprised but not shocked when the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, selected one of our best—Father Christopher J. Coyne—and sent him to you as your new auxiliary bishop.

Not shocked because of his personal reputation and priestly accomplishments, but very much surprised because we thought he would be assigned to wear a zucchetto—the bishop’s skullcap—locally. We give him to you graciously but reluctantly.

Chris is a pastor, a former seminary professor, a liturgist, a communicator, a fine cook and a close friend.

As the pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Westwood, Mass., he inherited a suburban parish in serious need of new leadership.

In just a few years, Chris proved that it could be done. The parish is well-staffed, runs smoothly, and is known for its fine religious education program, its exquisite music, parish outreach and solid preaching. It’s rumored that neighboring parishioners are tip-toeing across ecclesiastical lines to worship there.

Chris is an alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Boston’s St. John Seminary and the Athenaeum of San Anselmo on Rome’s Aventine hill, and has a doctorate in liturgy.

Chris is a fine preacher, always prepared, never flamboyant. His words are engaging because he reveals in his homilies that he has been informed and formed by the word of God.

The best compliment came from a parishioner who happens to be my older brother. He is one who does not give his heart away lightly and is slow to praise. He told me, “I like him. His homilies have a beginning, a middle, an end and a point. That’s not bad!”

When Boston was the epicenter of the clergy sex abuse scandal, Chris Coyne was tapped to be the spokesman for the archdiocese in dealing with an understandably frenzied media. His voice was clear, direct and honest. He was never mealy-mouthed, never falsely defensive and always fair.

It was a painful and demoralizing time for a priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, but when Chris came on the tube, we knew his words were true. Not surprisingly, he earned the respect of the local media moguls.

We are, however, sending you a new auxiliary bishop with a distinct provincial liability. He talks funny. But he talks like the rest of us locals—in Massachusetts. The broad “A” and the swallowed “R” are not affectations. They are a regional lingual flaw. When he reads the responsorial psalm, “If today you heeah His voice, hahden not your hahts,” don’t laugh. He “cahnt” help it.

Your new bishop likes priests and enjoys their company—not all equally, of course. He hosts a Saturday evening dinner that finds a half dozen priests driving to Westwood after their vigil Masses for an “attitudinal adjustment hour” followed by comfort food cooked by Chris. There, the banter flows freely, the conversation is spirited and relaxed candor prevails. By the way, he makes a mean pasta alla norcina that you will love. Ask for it.

Your new bishop is also a man to look up to. Considering he is 6 feet 4 inches tall, it is a matter of necessity for most of us. Let me assure you, however, that very shortly this stranger from the East who talks funny will be a gentleman you look up to with respect.

We in Boston are left with one question: Who’s going to cook Saturday’s supper?

We shall miss him and his friendship dearly.

(Msgr. Peter Conley is the pastor of St. Jude Parish in Norfolk, Mass.) †