JANUARY 31, 2014 VOLUME 48, NUMBER 2 INSIDE: Page 5: March for Life Page 8-9: Catholic Schools Week Bishop Gainer Dedicated to Sanctification of Flock By Jen Reed The Catholic Witness The eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of Harris- burg introduced himself as a shepherd dedicated to the sanctification and ministry of his people. In front of an enthusiastic crowd of diocesan employees and a host of local media gathered in Harrisburg for the Jan. 24 press conference, Bish- op Ronald W. Gainer said he was eager to connect with the people of the diocese to learn about its strengths and challenges. Accessibility, he said, has been a hallmark of his Episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Lexing- ton, where he has served as bishop since 2003. He hopes to maintain that trend in Harrisburg. “I have a lot to learn about this local Church, about all of the people in these 15 counties, about the strengths and the areas of challenge,” said Bishop Gainer. Referring to his appointment to Harrisburg as a homecoming – he was born in Pottsville, Pa., and served as a priest of the Diocese of Allentown for 29 years – Bishop Gainer said he planned to “hear with the ears and the heart of a hometown boy.” Father Robert M. Gillelan, Jr., Diocesan Ad- ministrator, made the announcement Jan. 24 that Pope Francis had named Bishop Gainer, 66, as the eleventh bishop of the diocese. He will be installed on Wednesday, March 19, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg. Introducing Bishop Gainer during the press conference, Father Gillelan reflected on Jan. 24 as the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, who was known as the “gentleman saint.” “It seems appropriate then that today we offi- cially welcome this Kentucky gentleman back to his native Pennsylvania,” he said. Following a sustained standing ovation as he stepped to the podium, Bishop Gainer expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis and to Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, for their trust in appointing him to the Diocese of Harrisburg. “It is with great humility and true joy that I ac- cept this as God at work through the authorities of our Catholic Church. I am humble and grateful,” he said. He also offered thanks to the bishops of the Province of Philadelphia, including Archbishop Charles Chaput, for their confidence; to Father Gillelan for his leadership during the time of va- cant see; and to the staff of the dioceses of Har- risburg and Lexington. “I want to certainly say that the people of the Diocese of Lexington and the faithful priests, re- ligious, the laity received this Yankee with great love and affection, and I want to express gratitude to them for these 11 years of the privilege of be- ing the second bishop of a very young mission diocese,” he said. Established in 1988 from parts of the Archdio- cese of Louisville and the Diocese of Covington, the Diocese of Lexington has 50 counties, 40 of which are in Appalachia. “I welcome today this new time in the life of the Diocese of Harrisburg, and in my own life and in my ministry, and I trust, truly, that the bond of faith, the bond of love, the bond of joy that devel- oped in 11 years in my stewardship and shepherd- ing the Diocese of Lexington will take place here and will grow quickly to unite us together in our Savior, Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Gainer. CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS Bishop-Designate Ronald Gainer shares a moment of humor with those gathered at the news conference intro- More BISHOP GAINER, page 2 ducing him as the eleventh bishop of Harrisburg at the Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg on Jan. 24. 2 - THE CATHOLIC WITNESS, JANUARY 31, 2014 Bishop Ronald W. Gainer • Born August 24, 1947, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, to Francis F. Gainer (deceased) and Anna M. Meko Education • Educated at Mary, Queen of Peace Grade School in Pottsville • Graduated Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, receiving a B.A. Degree in June 1969, and a Masters of Divinity Degree in June 1973 • Attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, 1984-1986, receiving a Licentiate Degree in Canon Law and a Diploma in Latin Letters in June 1986 Priesthood • Ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Allentown on May 19, 1973 • Named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Pope John Paul II on August 20, 1991 CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS Bishop Gainer smiles during an interview with the local TV media. • Named Second Bishop of Lexington by Pope John Paul II on December 2, 2002; appointment announced at the Vatican on December 13, 2002 den loss of your shepherd,” he said. fered remarks on the appointment to Bishop Gainer Bishop Gainer said he crossed paths Harrisburg, saying, “This native son • Ordained to the Episcopacy Archbishop Thomas C. with Bishop McFadden on numerous of Pottsville is a fine bishop, canonist Kelly of Louisville, and installed as Bishop of Lexington Continued from 1 occasions. The two were members of and a very pastoral man with deep ex- the United States Conference of Catho- perience in evangelization. I look for- on February 22, 2003 In a statement on the appointment, lic Bishops’ Committee on Catholic ward to working with Bishop Gainer • Named Eleventh Bishop of Harrisburg by Pope Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Lou- Education, which Bishop McFadden and extend to him the best wishes and Francis on January 13, 2014; appointment announced at isville noted Bishop Gainer’s pastoral eventually chaired. prayerful support of the faithful of the heart, keen intellect and an exceptional He also spoke of the prayer card dis- Diocese of Allentown, where his voca- the Vatican on January 24, 2014 ability to administer well. “The Dio- tributed during Bishop McFadden’s fu- cese of Harrisburg will be well served tion was nurtured and first bore fruit.” Ministry neral Mass. He has kept it next to his Speaking about the priorities that by such a humble servant of the Lord computer since May. “Every time I’ve • Assistant Pastor at Saint Bernard Church in Easton, Jesus,” he said. were a constant in his ministry as Bish- gone to my computer, I’ve seen the op of Lexington, Bishop Gainer point- Pennsylvania, 1973-1975, and Saint Catherine of Siena “The pastoral presence of Bishop smiling face of your shepherd looking Gainer will be deeply remembered in ed to Catholic schools, prison ministry Church in Mount Penn, Pennsylvania, 1979-1980 the Province of Louisville for his many at me and I’ve offered a prayer for his and social justice. contributions to the life of the Church,” happy repose…. I continue to join with “I know that Catholic schools are • Assignments in Campus Ministry from 1973- said Archbishop Kurtz, who is presi- you in praying for Bishop McFadden,” strong and numerous here,” he said. 1979 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, dent of the U.S. Conference of Cath- he said. He also spoke of an initiative in the olic Bishops. “Of special note is his Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Diocese of Lexington that focuses on Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, andAlbright fine service to the Kentucky Catholic Philadelphia, called Bishop Gainer’s the faith formation of Catholic school College in Reading, Pennsylvania appointment to the Diocese of Harris- teachers and administrators. Conference, an experience which will • Appointed Secretary to the Tribunal of the Diocese of prove especially valuable as he serves burg “a wonderful source of joy for the On the subject of prison ministry, he the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Church in Pennsylvania. He’s exactly noted that there are nine state and five Allentown in 1980, and as Judge on the Diocesan Tribunal the man to carry on the spirit and work in the state capital of Harrisburg.” federal prisons in the Diocese of Lex- in 1983 The appointment of Bishop Gainer of the late Bishop Joseph McFadden, ington, and that he has made it a prior- as the eleventh Bishop of Harrisburg while adding a whole new dimension ity to visit inmates there “to let them • Appointed Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Allen- came nearly nine months after the and energy to the task.” know that they are not invisible.” town and pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Whitehall, death of Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, He remarked that “Bishop Gainer Social justice has also been a focus who died on May 2 of last year. In already has a keen sense of life in the of his ministry, especially in a diocese Pennsylvania, in 1986; pastor of Holy Trinity from his address, Bishop Gainer took time Commonwealth, the issues facing the with poverty and unemployment. In the 1986-1999 to reflect on the late bishop, who had Church here, and the importance of the 40 Appalachian counties of the Diocese served the diocese for nearly three people and civic institutions of Harris- of Lexington, 74 percent of children • Visiting Professor of Canon Law at Mary Immaculate years. burg and central Pennsylvania. He’ll be live below the federal poverty line. Seminary in Northampton, Pennsylvania, from 1986-1987 “I want to recall with reverence and a great voice for the poor, the unborn, “Where there is inequality, where • Spiritual Director for diocesan chapter of Beginning with deep respect and gratitude the quality education and the faith of the there are needs in a local community, memory of Bishop Joseph McFadden. Catholic community.” we can’t close our eyes or look the oth- Experience for the separated, divorced and widowed His sudden passing was a sadness to Bishop John Barres of the Diocese er way,” Bishop Gainer remarked.