Sister cathedrals develop warm, close relationships

by the Very Reverend Rick Lawson, Dean, St Mark’s Cathedral

SALT LAKE CITY — A cathedral is the Bishop’s Church and as such always has a unique relationship with the Bishop. In Salt Lake City, the two sister Cathedrals, St Mark’s and the Cathedral of the Madeleine have developed a warm and close relationship. As Dean (Rector) of the Episcopal Cathedral here in Salt Lake City, I have had a wonderful relationship with Bishop Niederauer over the past few years.

As I hear from my brother and sister Catholics the happiness and excitement they express upon hearing of Bishop Niederauer’s appointment as Archbishop of San Francisco, I also hear of their feeling of sadness and loss. Bishop Niederauer has been the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City for the past ten years. But he is so much more than that. From one who is a co-worker in the vineyard with him, but of a different faith tradition, I too feel a similar joy for him, and I also feel strongly the loss that is mine.

Those of us who have come to know Bishop George Niederauer have been blessed indeed. He is a man of so many gifts who shares them generously everywhere. Bishop Niederauer is concerned about people and always has a warm welcome and a ready ear to hear of your activities and doings. He has been a part of the community of Salt Lake and of the wider community of Utah in many different ways. And in all these activities he has brought to us the warmth and generous gift of neighborliness and care. It is exciting as I think of what the Archdiocese of San Francisco will come to know and experience with Archbishop Niederauer.

Bishop Niederauer is well known to his brothers and sisters at St Mark’s Cathedral. He has preached for us and also been part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. He is held in great esteem by all of us at St Mark’s Cathedral and we wish him the very best in his new work. He is a fine pastor and these gifts have graced us all. We feel for our brother and sisters in the Diocese of Salt Lake as they must say good bye to their Bishop. We join our prayers with them in thanking God for Bishop Niederauer’s decade of service to this community and pray that in his new position in San Francisco our Gracious God will continue to bless, guide, and support him in all he does.