Local dignitaries react to seeing Pope Francis

Friday, Oct. 02, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Among the many Utahns who encountered Pope Francis during his visit to the United States were Senator Orrin Hatch and the Right Rev. Scott Hayashi, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, both of whom saw the Holy Father in Washington, D.C. 

In the Diocese of Salt Lake City, many Catholics watched live broadcasts of the pontiff’s speeches. At the Pastoral Center, daily Mass was rescheduled until after his presentations to the joint session of Congress and the United Nations General Assembly.

“Like so many, I followed the Holy Father’s visit to both Cuba and especially the U.S. as closely as time allowed,” said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administrator. “I even rearranged my schedule as much as possible so that I could watch him live – postponing daily Mass at the Pastoral Center so that we could all watch his address to Congress and the United Nations live. When I couldn’t change my schedule, I watched the ‘Video on Demand’ or read his homilies and speeches on the USCCB website.   

“I was amazed at his stamina and self-sacrifice,” Msgr. Bircumshaw continued. “For a man of his age and physical condition to joyfully expend himself the way he did was inspirational. I thought every one of his talks was masterful and savvy in the way he addressed American politics in pastoral terms. I appreciated most that he avoided harsh language and invited a less critical and more welcoming approach in both the Church and in society. As he said at his final Mass, ‘Our common house can no longer tolerate sterile divisions.’ I have never been more proud to be a Catholic Christian and a priest. I pray for him, ‘Ad multos annos!’”

Hatch, a member of the committee that escorted the pope into the House chamber for his address to the joint session of Congress, released a prepared statement for the occasion.

“The pope’s message about the dignity of each life and our shared human values is reflected in the American ideal,” the statement read. 

“As a nation, we recognize life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as inalienable, God-given rights that government must respect and protect. I hope we can rise to the Pope’s specific challenge that we defend and promote religious liberty,” Hatch’s statement continued. “Likewise, we would all do well to give heed to the Pope’s repeated counsel that we avoid polarization and instead seek the common good through a renewed spirit of cooperation and consensus.”  

Bishop Hayashi, who attended the White House welcoming ceremony as a member of the Utah delegation, said the historical moment was a very moving experience.

Listening to Pope Francis “gives me a sense of hope that there will be more people now … to endeavor to be God’s people in this world,” even if they’re not all of the same religion, said the Episcopal bishop, who appreciates Pope Francis’ ability to direct attention to the need to serve society’s most vulnerable people.

“This is what we should be concerned about, not as a political issue, but because this is what we are called to be,” said Bishop Hayashi, adding that he admires Pope Francis. “I see him as a person who is sincerely trying to be – and is – Christ’s representative on earth, and taking seriously the call to be a servant of Christ and to imitate Christ. “I pray that he would continue to be the servant of Christ that he is and helping this world to see more clearly what I believe God is trying to do in this world.”

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe, also met the pontiff after the Holy Father’s address to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In a Facebook post, Archbishop Wester said it was a thrill to be present for Pope Francis’ speech to the joint session of Congress. “His love, compassion and peaceful heart filled the room,” the archbishop continued. “Gently and persuasively he affirmed us and challenged us. What a great man. I had tears in my eyes as he walked into the chamber. Thanks be to God for this great gift to all of us.”