'We will miss his dynamic presence' says Pastor Davis

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop Niederauer prays with his staff at the onset of the annual staff Christmas party Dec. 16, 2005. He'd learned just 10 days earlier he would be named Archbishop of San Francisco. IC photo by Barbara S. Lee

by Pastor France Davis

Calvary Baptist Church

SALT LAKE CITY — When Bishop George Niederauer came to Salt Lake City to serve the Utah jurisdiction of the Catholic Church, it was indeed a new day. Immediately, he made clear his intentions to work with all to meet the needs of all. He made his way to meet and interact with clergy of many denominations and organizations. His goals materialized as we worked to offer strong spiritual guidance to all.

Perhaps the most exciting time for me was when he worked with me, Matt Gilmour, Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish, Metropolitan Isia, Bishop Banks and others to organize and carry out "A Day of Reconciliation" in Price, Utah, related to the 1925 lynching of Robert Marshall. We successfully marked the burial place of Marshall and called the community to healing, especially from the pain of silence about the incident.

Bishop Niederauer and I worked together to insure that a bill passed the Utah Legislature so we could celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the state of Utah as a legal public holiday. He helped us get 600 South designated as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

When the rhetoric grew harsh and unkind in the debate over the sale of Main Street, it was Bishop Niederauer who spoke with a voice of calm and reason. His thoughtful approach helped the Alliance for Unity craft a plan and raise funds that resulted in settlement of the dispute. I am sure my inclusion in many of the discussions of this community was because of the urgings of Bishop Niederauer. I believe Bishop Niederauer and Bishop Tanner Irish set the example for other jurisdictional leaders in the use of their authority for the good of all.

In addition to his sharp intellect, Bishop Niederauer operates with a good sense of humor and wisdom. He meets the qualifications for spiritual leadership set forth in Acts 6 and I and II Timothy. All of us stood a little taller as he took his stand out among his peers.

Salt Lake City and the surrounding area will not be the same without the leadership provided by Bishop George Niederauer. He made such a positive and delightful difference in our need to work across lines of language, denomination, and economic level. Although we celebrate his selection for this new appointment as Archbishop of San Francisco, we will miss his dynamic presence here in Utah.

I offer this tribute as my sincere thanks for the honors, the tributes, and the opportunities to work with such a wonderful, spiritual giant as Bishop Niederauer. May God bless you as you go.