Priests have last gathering with Archbishop Wester

Friday, May. 08, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Diocesan priests bid farewell to Archbishop John C. Wester, administrator of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, at an April 29 gathering at the bishop’s residence, two days after the announcement that he has been transferred to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

The archbishop loves to fix things around his mother’s house when he visits, so an appropriate parting present would have been a toy tool box, said Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, who is known to give gag gifts to departing diocesan employees while roasting them.

During Archbishop Wester’s eight years in Utah, “he’s tinkered with us,” Msgr. Fitzgerald joked. “Bishop, you probably would have done better with that hammer and chisel in place of charm.” 

Turning serious, Msgr. Fitzgerald complimented the archbishop for his patience, calmness, and skill as an administrator. He said the archbishop’s pending departure reminded him of Acts 20:17-35, in which Saint Paul speaks to the presbyters, affirming them in the faith and telling them that even though he is leaving them, they must carry on.

During the evening, Father Jorge Roldán, parochial vicar of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, was asked to speak because, having been ordained last year, he is the youngest priest.

“I would like to tell you a lot of things, but the most important thing for me … is this: I am very proud that you ordained me,” Fr. Roldán told the archbishop.

The oldest priest still in active ministry, Monsignor Robert Servatius, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, wished the archbishop luck and God’s blessing, adding, “We hate to see you go. … There will always be a part of you that’s here, because of the influence that you’ve had on us.”

Representing the multicultural aspect of the diocesan priests, Father Javier Virgen, the diocesan vicar of Hispanic Affairs, said Archbishop Wester has many gifts that have been noticed by the laity.

“The people in the Spanish community tell me always, ‘That bishop has a special gift that God has given him; he knows how to listen, how to be compassionate,’” said Fr. Virgen, who then thanked the archbishop for expanding the Spanish Masses at the Cathedral of the Madeleine and forming a class of Spanish-speaking permanent deacons, who are expected to be ordained next year.

“Those are the gifts you have given us in a very special way. We are very grateful for you,” the priest said. 

Fr. Virgen also expressed his gratitude for the archbishop’s encouragement while he underwent dialysis and then a kidney transplant. 

“I thank you for your compassion, your love and care, not only for me, but for all of us priests,” he said.

In his comments, Archbishop Wester said the news of his transfer came as a surprise to him; he had been making plans to retire in Salt Lake City when he turned 70. However, like his priests, he must respond when he is reassigned, he said, so now “I’m praying very hard that I have a very loving successor, and I envy him,” the archbishop said, his voice choking with tears. “He’s going to get all of you. That’s a great gift. … He’s going to be very, very fortunate to have you and have such great deacons and such great lay leaders and such great people here. … I will always carry you in my heart.”

As the evening ended, Father Martin Diaz, who acted as the master of ceremonies, spoke through tears as he said, “There really is no more to say than, ‘Our hearts go with you.’ It has been a great joy to be in this diocese with you.”