New vicar general brings extensive experience to the job

Intermountain Catholic

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Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw (left), is shown with Bishop John C. Wester at the farewell reception for Monsignor Victor Bonnell on June 5, the day after he assumed his duties as vicar general for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw holds three advanced degrees in theology, has been pastor of parishes, president of a seminary and director of the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s vocations office among other assignments, but there were several times when the diocese’s new vicar general wavered in his decision to become a priest.

The first was when, at the age of 14, he left Utah to attend the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. At the time, the institute – the only pontifical seminary outside of Italy – provided seminary training for high school and college-age students. In 1963, the trip took two and a half days by train.

For the young Colin Bircumshaw, who had never been outside Utah, the change was startling.

"There were rules upon rules," Msgr. Bircumshaw recalled. The first night, in a dorm with 96 other boys, "the prefect said, ‘Welcome to the Josephinum, gentlemen. There are 96 of you. Next year there will be room for 50. We’ll get rid of that number through academics or discipline. Good night.’ Boom. The lights went out. You could hear boys crying in their beds. If I had been able to come home, I would have been home in a few days."

Despite the initial shock – and a prediction by Josephinum alumnus Msgr. Robert C. Pollock, then pastor of Saint Olaf Parish, that Msgr. Bircumshaw wouldn’t make it at the school because he didn’t know Latin – he remained, studying and playing rugby and other sports with his peers.

Another challenge to his desire to become a priest occurred while he was in college. For two summers he worked with the inner-city poor in New Orleans.

"I fell in love with a cardiac nurse from Nashville, Tenn.," he said. "Those two summers I almost didn’t go back to the seminary."

Nevertheless, he discerned that the call to the priesthood was stronger than his love for the nurse, so they parted ways. He graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, then went on to earn, with honors, a Master of Divinity in theology and a Master of Arts in systemic theology. One degree is pastoral; the other, academic.

Part of the reason for the dual degree "was prestige and part of it was that I just enjoyed the academics," Msgr. Bircumshaw said. "I had the time, so I thought I would do both."

Msgr. Bircumshaw was ordained a priest on May 30, 1975 by Bishop Joseph L. Federal in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. His first appointment was as parochial vicar at the Cathedral. Then Bishop Federal sent him to Rome for doctoral studies in theology.

The timing was propitious. He was in Rome when Pope Paul VI died, and for the election and funeral of Pope John Paul I, then he watched the white smoke rise to announce the election of Pope John Paul II. He distributed communion at the funerals for both Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul I, and at the installation Mass for both Pope John Paul I and Pope John Paul II.

"I saw three popes in two months," he said.

When he returned to Utah, Bishop William K. Weigand appointed him associate pastor of Saint Patrick Parish and to the diocesan Liturgical Commission. It was the first of many such seats on various boards and committees within the diocese.

"One thing that makes this job (as vicar general) somewhat comfortable is that I have served on every committee on the diocese, from finances to director of liturgical commission," Msgr. Bircumshaw said. "There’s not much that I haven’t sat through meetings for, so I know how the diocese works."

His appointments have included two years as rector of his alma mater, the Josephinum; several terms on the Priests’ Personnel Board; and moderator for the Northern Deanery Council of Catholic Women. Among his pastoral assignments have been several parishes with schools. He was named Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI on Jan. 13, 2009.

"I think Msgr. Colin Bircumshaw brings to this ministry of vicar general and vicar of the clergy a wealth of experience in pastoral ministry, administration and a real love of priests," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City. "He also has a good sense of humor, which will be essential to this work."

In addition to these qualities, Bishop Wester describes Msgr. Bircumshaw as a humble, gentle man who genuinely loves people. He chose him as vicar general because he thinks the two will work well together.

"I think he has what it takes to tell me when he disagrees with me," he said, "but he also needs, as Msgr. Fitzgerald did, to help me shape the face of Christ in this local Church. And an important aspect is that he lives simply; his life reflects the Lord’s presence in our midst."

Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald is Msgr. Bircumshaw’s predecessor as vicar general.

While acknowledging that his job is to help implement the bishop’s vision, Msgr. Bircumshaw sees several priorities for the diocese, including lay ministry and the Hispanic ministry.

"Also, our schools are very vulnerable," he said, "and priests need lots of support. I hope I can affirm the priests. And youth ministry has got to be a priority for the diocese. I see a lot of families where the parents are Catholic but the kids grow up and don’t practice. We need to look at evangelization and how to effectively challenge our youth to live the Gospel."