Bishop Morin installed as 3rd bishop of Biloxi
By Terry Dickson
BILOXI (CNS) — Pledging to follow his episcopal motto to “walk humbly and act justly,” Bishop Roger P. Morin was installed as Biloxi’s third bishop April 27 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral.
“My prayer is always to build a foundation in living according to the Gospel by hearkening back to the words of the prophet Micah,” he said in his homily. “Walk tenderly after acting justly and ever walking humbly with consciousness of the wonder and marvel of the unique God-given gifts possessed by each person.”
Seven archbishops — including Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States; Archbishop Thomas Rodi of Mobile, Ala., Bishop Morin’s predecessor in Biloxi; and Archbishop Philip Hannan, the retired archbishop of New Orleans who ordained Bishop Morin to the priesthood in 1961 — were among those concelebrating the early afternoon liturgy, along with 13 bishops and more than 100 priests. The other archbishops were Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, retired archbishop of Mobile; retired New Orleans Archbishop Francis Schulte; current New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes; and Archbishop John Favalora of Miami.
Bishop Joseph Latino of the Diocese of Jackson, Miss., was among the other bishops and priests who concelebrated the installation Mass.
The cathedral, which comfortably seats 420 people, was filled beyond capacity for the two-hour Mass, which was also shown via streaming video for an overflow crowd at the neighboring Saenger Theater and on the websites of both WLOX-TV and the Sun Herald newspaper.
Bishop Morin, a 68-year-old Massachusetts native, went to New Orleans in 1967 as a young seminarian to engage in social ministry and was eventually ordained a priest for the archdiocese. He had been auxiliary bishop of New Orleans since 2003.
During his homily, Bishop Morin said, “In the simplest of terms, I come to serve and to work with you in building up the body of Christ in our diocese and our local parish communities. In the most fervent manner possible, in the celebration of Eucharist, I plead for abundant blessings upon all of us together as witnesses of God’s love.”
After thanking Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Sambi, Bishop Morin thanked both of his predecessors, Archbishop Rodi and retired Biloxi Bishop Joseph Howze, for their service to the people of the Diocese of Biloxi.
He also had a special word of thanks for Archbishops Hannan, Schulte and Hughes for mentoring him along the way.
“I am quick to tell all of those who will listen that the three of you have been my mentors and teachers. If I do anything well, my people should thank you. If I disappoint or fail in my efforts, my people should call one of you,” he said to rousing laughter and applause from the congregation.
After the applause died down, Bishop Morin turned to the congregation and said, “Don’t call me.”
Then, turning serious, he said, “I have had such good teachers through the years that it is a constant struggle to do justice to those gifts that I have received.”
Bishop Morin also thanked members of his extended family in New Orleans and his natural family in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for their love and support.
The bishop then addressed members of both the Hispanic and Vietnamese communities in their native tongues, before reverting to English.
He told the congregation, “Together — all of us are bound by God’s saving word and Scripture and committed to its service and ministry — we are called to seek the highest good for one another. We are called to help one another stay on the path to eternal life to the heavenly kingdom.”
Bishop Morin concluded his remarks by saying, “Let us be a church noteworthy to others because they will see in us the good news of the Gospel being lived in word and deed. We will show that we love the Lord our God by the love that we show for one another.”
The other archbishops were Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, retired archbishop of Mobile; retired New Orleans Archbishop Francis Schulte; current New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes; and Archbishop John Favalora of Miami.
