Almost seven years ago, Bishop DiLorenzo appointed me to the position of Consultor.  I thanked him and then went online to find out what a Consultor is!  As the name would indicate, I and six or seven other priests in the diocese met with the bishop once or twice a year to be consulted on certain matters in accordance with Canon Law.  The meetings were usually short and were really pro forma.  As a Consultor, I was also appointed to the Priests’ Council.  All in all, it was mostly a minor post and imposition.
 
When Bishop DiLorenzo died in August, this all changed, because now we had no bishop.  The “College” of Consultors met and chose Msgr. Mark Lane to be the Diocesan Administrator and have been meeting with him regularly to make decisions on the running of the diocese.  Suddenly, the position became much more important.  I mention this not to “brag,” but because it gave me a unique opportunity when our new Bishop-designate was named.
 
Last Tuesday, I had several opportunities to meet our new bishop, Barry Knestout (the “K” is silent as in knife!).  The nicest was to have dinner with him and his younger brother (also a priest), the College of Consultors, and a couple of priests from the diocese.  I have been struck with his humility and his attentiveness.  He comes from the archdiocese of Washington, and that is good in putting him near his family.  But it was equally clear that he was looking forward to serving the Richmond Diocese.  He is coming with an open spirit and with a sincere desire to serve.  Check out his news conference by visiting to our parish website and clicking on the link found on our homepage.