New Bishop for Birmingham
Yes, it is highly unusual for a Bishop to be transferred to a new diocese with a smaller population and an even smaller number of nominal Catholics. Yet, Birmingham, the new diocese of Robert Baker, the former Bishop of Charleston, includes one specific Catholic institution, which deserves special treatment (for better or for worse).
People were wondering when the diocese that contains EWTN would get a new bishop since Bishop Foley retired in May of 2005 and was subsequently appointed administrator. I have read nothing but good thing about Bishop Robert J Baker. The Bishop is also the author of a novel on the Florida missions and has spoken in my diocese before.Update: Amy Welborn has some more information on Bishop Baker and she also reminded me that he was originally from my diocese. I had forgotten he was the pastor of Christ the King in Jacksonville, Fl before he became the Bishop of Charleston. He is also the Chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on Stewardship. This makes a lot of sense because while pastor of Christ the King he stressed stewardship and because of his efforts was able to make the Catholic school run by the parish free for the parishioners.
Known as 
Hey, that's my bishop! I didn't know he was being moved to Bama...
Thanks for the heads up!
I hope they didn't appoint the guy to beat up on a poor, defenseless senior citizen like Bill "Hello Family We're Down $20 Million" Steltemeir.
Many things have changed in the Church in the past 40 years.
One of them is that more and more bishops and priests are refusing appointments. Once an episcopal appointment by the Pope was deemed a tremendous honor, a duty, or a stepping stone and could be rarely refused except for reasons of health (or perhaps confidential factors).
Today many qualified individuals are refusing appointments because of he size, quality or location of the diocesan see. Some are waiting until a better opportunity comes along.
Probably some of that happened in the past, but filling U.S. vacancies seems to be taking longer and longer. And now, Charleston is open. We need to get some solid priests consecrated as Bishops.
The Problem with Birmingham besides its size and small number of Catholics is that EWTN is there.
EWTN is hated by many in the American hierarchy because of its orthodoxy and independence of USCCB plans. I can see why many of them would refuse an appointment, so the question must be then, why would they sabotage the appointment of a qualified priest to that chair?
It would seem to me that an ambitious priest who was a good preacher or writer would be able to get his own hour long show song after his appointment, if he wanted. Of course it might play at 3 in the morning.
Ooooops.
In the last sentence, that should be "soon after his appointment."
Sorry
One of them is that more and more bishops and priests are refusing appointments. Once an episcopal appointment by the Pope was deemed a tremendous honor, a duty, or a stepping stone and could be rarely refused except for reasons of health (or perhaps confidential factors).
Today many qualified individuals are refusing appointments because of he size, quality or location of the diocesan see. Some are waiting until a better opportunity comes along.
Probably some of that happened in the past, but filling U.S. vacancies seems to be taking longer and longer. And now, Charleston is open. We need to get some solid priests consecrated as Bishops.
There's a simple solution to that problem: go back to tradition. Back before the Protestant-inspired reforms of Trent, a bishop could take a new See and keep his old one too. If we once again allow that, I think the Pope will find a lot more takers.
FYI, all paragraphs but the last were supposed to be italicized as quotation in my comment. Unfortunately Jeff's template seems to cut off the italics tag after the first paragraph.
Bishop Baker is widely known as a compassionate, caring shepherd who never forgot that if one is to be truly a shepherd, you must get some sheep droppings (for lack of a better term) on your shoes.
Travel to St. Augustine, FL and see the Baker bldgs. and ministry to the poor, the elderly, the downtrodden, the broken, the marginalized. Pray God, we need more men like this! He will do well!
The problem with some of the Bishops in our area, the notheast, is that they have forgotten they were born with wooden, not silver, spoons. Thus, the less attractive draw to those who would best serve with wooden staffs!
What is so good about our Church and this Pope is that he is appointing Pastoral men to shepherd. It is not an easy task, that is why John Chrysostom should be every Bishop's patron saint!
No cross, no mitre...... or something along those lines.
Bishop Baker is tireless in getting across our diocese. He is a humble man and listens to his priests. He may not be perfect, but our diocese is so much the better for his work here in his 10 years. I am going to miss him. Our pastor said the same this morning. I ask that you all pray for a good bishop to replace him.
Oremus pro invicem!
A previous poster said -
"Bishop Baker is tireless in getting across our diocese."
... and I think the same could be said of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz who will be installed as Archbishop of Louisville tomorrow. One hopes there is a pattern here.
Bishop Baker is a holy priest who genuinely cares about the people he serves. He was Pastor of the Cathedral in St Augustine. He started St Francis House Soup Kitchen and Shelter there, as well as one in Gainesville, where he was Pastor of St Augustine's. Birmingham is blessed to have him.
Oh i thought you meant my Birmingham! lol