Please Say It Isn't So

Friday, May. 01, 2015

I’m trying to write coherently, but I’m still in shock at the news that the Most Rev. John C. Wester is now Archbishop of Santa Fe, because to me he is Bishop Wester of Salt Lake City.

I know that people have been predicting his departure almost since he was appointed eight years ago. However, when he wasn’t named to the top position of the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 2012, or the Diocese of Portland the year after that, or the Diocese of San Diego this year, I really hoped we would be able to keep him.

When he told me he was going to Santa Fe, I didn’t know how to react. I still don’t.

I’m happy for him, but sad that he’s leaving. He has been good for the Diocese of Salt Lake City in many ways, not the least of which was his gift of being present to the people. Over and over again  I have heard how much people appreciate his attendance at various events, not only at  Church occasions like Holy Week at the Cathedral of the Madeleine but also gatherings such as the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and Knights of Columbus conventions and smaller occasions such as the prayer vigil for the unborn at Mount Cavalry Catholic Cemetery. 

(I’m aware that some people may grumble that they couldn’t get him to their event, but hey, he’s only one man, and he had a diocese to run, not to mention his responsibilities to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and to the Vatican. He only has the same number of hours in the day as other people, so he couldn’t make it to everything to which he was invited. Nevertheless, he did his best.)

While trying to gather my thoughts about Archbishop Wester, I recalled my first meeting with him. He interviewed me for this position, and as we talked I said something along the lines that I thought he should act in a certain manner in regard to the Intermountain Catholic. I could tell he was taken aback by my lack of deference (in my defense, up to that point I had been a secular journalist my entire career, and newshounds aren’t  known for their respect for authority), so when I left I was certain I wouldn’t be offered the job.

Despite this inauspicious introduction, Archbishop Wester did in fact hire me, an act of faith I have tried to repay by making sure this paper and its accompanying website and Facebook page are media he can be proud of. I haven’t always succeeded, but on those occasions when I didn’t meet his expectations his reprimand was gentle and yet left me in no doubt that he wanted corrective action to be taken.

In addition to teaching me a lot about leadership, Archbishop Wester has inspired me in the faith. He has done this by example as well as encouragement. (One time I asked if he wanted me to attend a retreat – I didn’t think it was necessary and I had about five other work-related things on my agenda – and his response was “Don’t you like to pray?” Which led to the conundrum of either responding “Yes,” which meant attending the retreat, or “I have better things to do,” to which I didn’t even want to imagine his reply.)

Archbishop Wester has enriched this diocese with his presence; he has also made me a better person. I wish he could stay longer, but as he would say, we have to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit. 

So Godspeed, Archbishop Wester of Santa Fe. I am proud to have worked for you.