My time with Bishop Weisenburger

 

When I retired, in the Diocese of Tucson, we had been waiting almost a year and a half for news of who would be our next bishop. All the Diocese was praying that the Lord would send us a good shepherd. When I finally got the call from the Papal Nuncio, the Holy Father’s representative in the United States, that our next bishop would be Bishop Edward Weisenburger, who had been Bishop of Salina in Kansas, it was a big surprise to us all as I suspect it was for the Archdiocese of Detroit.  

I knew nothing about Bishop Weisenburger but in the last seven and a half years, we have become dear friends and confidants. He has a wholehearted laugh. He cares deeply for people and for those who are struggling. He has learned about the border and what it is like to be a border diocese with Mexico. He has a keen interest in the plight of migrants and asylum seekers and was involved in the Kino Border Initiative in Ambos Nogales, serving those fleeing violence and poverty as well as our Catholic Community Services’ program to care for migrants the government brought to us in order to care for them. He feels deeply the pain of others. 

He loves being a priest and now a bishop. He tries whenever possible to encourage others to consider becoming a priest. The number of seminarians studying to serve in our Diocese has grown significantly. 

He travelled throughout our geographically expansive Diocese, usually driving himself, in order to be with parishioners for confirmations or anniversaries or special occasions. He has been a presence throughout the Diocese mingling with people and learning about them, their joys and struggles. 

He is a great communicator and kept all in the Diocese aware of what was happening in the Diocese and the larger church as well as asking prayers for those sick or who have died.  

He quickly became part of the presbyterate of the Diocese, meeting with his priests, listening to them, caring for them and when necessary, challenging them. 

He dealt directly with issues and did not hesitate to challenge problematic situations that needed attention, but always with a shepherd’s heart. 

The Archdiocese of Detroit will quickly come to see their new Archbishop will be a brother to his priests, a collaborator with his staff and co-workers and who will give his all in service of the Archdiocese.