Ex-interim Boston leader installed as Cleveland bishop

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland?s new Roman Catholic bishop was installed this afternoon at St. John Cathedral.

He?s Bishop Richard Lennon, who briefly led the Archdiocese of Boston after Cardinal Bernard Law quit amid the priest sex-abuse scandal.

The 59-year-old Lennon was escorted to the marble bishop?s seat, symbol of his authority, by Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk, head of the church?s Ohio province.

Lennon pledged to work with Cleveland priests and lay people and the interfaith leaders who attended the installation Mass.

Cardinals William Keeler of Baltimore and Sean O?Malley led more than 300 priests and bishops at the installation.

Lennon succeeded 73-year-old Bishop Anthony Pilla, who retired.

Previous story posted 5/14/06

CLEVELAND -- The new bishop was ceremoniously welcomed into the diocese during Sunday night's prayer service.

Retiring Bishop Anthony Pilla took part in the service at The Cathedral of St. John, but he had no speaking role.

This time, it was the new bishop?s turn to give the homily. And Bishop Richard Gerard Lennon quickly showed his jovial nature.

?Inevitably whenever there is an installation of a new bishop there is interest in who is he? What is he like? What does he like? Who does he root for?"

Lennon then joked that it was not the time to answer those questions.

But what Lennon did talk about was his desire to visit as many diocese schools and parishes as possible in the next few months.

?So I can come to know you, and you can come to know me," he stated. "That I can learn about your history, your hopes and your desires.?

About 1,200 invited guests from churches throughout the diocese attended the service. Those we talked with had only good things to say about their new bishop.

Church member Ingrida Bublys said, ?I was so impressed today with his calmness and the way he somehow seemed to receive us all as one of his flock.?

?I think he?s very friendly, very outgoing and I think he?s going to have good repoire with everyone,? expressed Sister Margaret Mary.

Before ending the service, Lennon shared with parishioners his main goal as their new shepherd.

?Most of all," he said, "that we may experience together and be nourished together by our common living out of our Catholic faith.?

For Channel 3's Katherine Boyd's story, click the link to the right