ON GOOD GROUND . . .

February 2008

by Monsignor Douglas L. Grams

A Time of Transition

On December 13, 2007, Archbishop John C. Nienstedt requested a meeting of the Diocesan College of Consultors. The College is made up of eleven priests of the Diocese. I expected that we would learn the name of the fourth Bishop of New Ulm. We did not.

Instead, we were told that due to Archbishop Nienstedt’s daunting responsibilities in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, he would be stepping down as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of New Ulm and the College must elect a Diocesan Administrator. Elected from the diocesan clergy, this person would be entrusted with the responsibilities and authority of a diocesan bishop until a new bishop is appointed.

The election process was not complicated. Each member simply voted and I was elected.

I must admit I felt a bit of apprehension. However, I felt very humbled and was willing to take on this responsibility knowing that with the help of God, our pastoral leaders, and you, the faithful of the Diocese, I would be able to serve in this leadership position until the fourth Bishop of New Ulm is appointed.

Many of you may be wondering how long we will have to wait. Of the 195 dioceses in the United States, there are currently nine dioceses waiting for bishops. Normally, there is an eight to fifteen month waiting period. The bishops of each Province gather every three years and nominate candidates for the episcopate. These names are submitted to the Apostolic Nuncio in Washington, DC, who then forwards the names to the Congregation of Bishops at the Vatican. From this roster of candidates, a list of three names is usually presented to Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, who makes the final decision.

During this interim period, I will devote myself to serving the Diocese of New Ulm as Diocesan Administrator. Although I am only forty-seven, I am in my twentieth year as a priest. I have had the good fortune to know the three bishops who have served our diocese. Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler (who built the church, school, and convent of my home parish, Church of the Holy Rosary, in North Mankato) confirmed me and was present at my ordination to the priesthood on June 13, 1987, when I was ordained by Bishop Raymond A. Lucker. I had the privilege of serving as the Chancellor for Bishop Lucker during his last year as Bishop of New Ulm. I was also part of the transition process when Reverend John G. Berger was appointed Diocesan Administrator in 2001. For the past six and a half years I have had the privilege of serving as Vicar General, and for a time as Chancellor, for Bishop Nienstedt.

Although there may be speculation about who the next Bishop of New Ulm will be, there is no campaigning. Rather, we continue to pray in thanksgiving for the three bishops who have guided us during our first fifty years as a diocese.

As we await the appointment of the fourth Bishop of New Ulm, we pray in anticipation that we may receive our new shepherd with joy, and that our hearts and minds may be filled with the spirit of the Gospel.

God bless you!

wmu