V is for Vigneron!

Yesterday, on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Bp. Allen Vigneron became the 5th Archbishop of Detroit.

EWTN has his homily text. Catholic blogger Dianne has local coverage, including photos. I thought it interesting to see Cardinal George standing next to Cardinal "under federal investigation" Mahony.

The Detroit Free Press also has a photo gallery of the installation Mass. Here's my favorite photo:

Gimme that ol' time apostolic succession!

Two random notes: Detroit has 1.4 million Catholics. Vigneron is a spry 60.

Local press coverage:

• Detroit Free Press (plenty!): Vigneron installed as new Detroit archbishop, Archbishop-designate Vigneron aims to defend teachings, build harmony, Vigneron to touch on faith, ethics, bonds in ceremony
• Detroit News: Archbishop Vigneron installed, Live God's will, new archbishop tells crowd

update: Diane has a magnificent photopost up, with many "behind-the-scenes" shots.

Don't miss it! Live streaming of Pro-Life Summit

I've been hearing rumblings about this summit for some time and I think it is very important.

It's hosted by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and will be taking place this Saturday at Christ the King parish in Ann Arbor, MI. The topic is how to end abortion in post-election America.

The bad news? It's sold out (500 attendees).

The good news? The summit is being streamed live on local WDEO Catholic radio here at 10am EST.

The better news? Relevant Recordings will be recording and selling CDs of the event here.

Speakers include Janet Smith, Al Kresta, Deal Hudson, Bishop Earl Boyea, Fr. Frank Pavone - you name it.

May such a gathering of pro-life luminaries and activists yield good fruit for the cause of the unborn.

It bears repeating: Bishops who speak, speak this way

At least in the overwhelming majority of cases. Bishops who are not adopting this strong rhetoric calling Catholics to vote an informed conscience on the issue, particularly, of abortion can be counted on one hand.

Another case in point to close-out the day: Bishop Robert Carlson of Saginaw whose statement (PDF) treats the presidential election as well as pro-ESCR Proposal 2 in Michigan (which I have discussed here).

Since I see no need to reduplicate work already done well, please see Fr. Z's analysis of the document.

Bp. Mengeling "cancer free" says spokesman

From LSJ:

Bishop Carl Mengeling progressing in his recovery from surgery to remove his cancerous bladder, Lansing Diocese officials said today.

"He is cancer-free by virtue of the fact that they removed the organ that had the cancer in it," said Michael Dibole, the director of communications for the diocese.

During the surgery, a biopsy of tissue samples from areas around the bladder showed no evidence of cancer, Dibole said.

Thanks for all the prayers!

Update: Bp. Mengeling recovering from surgery

LSJ:

Bishop Carl Mengeling’s bladder was removed late Tuesday and the leader of Greater Lansing’s Catholic community was said to be resting comfortably.

“He was resting as comfortably as possible for a person who had pretty serious surgery,” said Michael Diebold, director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Lansing.

Mengeling, 76, underwent surgery last Friday during which about half of a large tumor was removed from his bladder. He had been earlier diagnosed with bladder cancer. Tuesday, his entire bladder was removed.

The surgery started sometime after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Mengeling is expected to require at least six to eight weeks of recovery. His doctors have asked that he not receive visitors or phone calls.

Bishop Mengeling diagnosed with bladder cancer

From the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

After surgery last Thursday that removed half his bladder [story]:

Bishop Carl F. Mengeling of the Lansing Catholic Diocese has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

He will have surgery Tuesday afternoon in a Lansing hospital to remove his bladder, followed by six to eight weeks of recuperation and recovery.

"We know people have his best interests at heart, and cards and letters gratefully received," said Michael D. Diebold, director of communications for the diocese, a 10-county area that includes Jackson.

Catholics were asked to pray for Mengeling, 76, at all weekend Masses.

Please continue to keep Bishop Mengeling and the diocese of Lansing in your prayers.

Though I don't have personal experience in these matters, it would seem to me that with such a diagnosis and an extended time period being allotted for recovery, the appointment of Bp. Mengeling's successor would be accelerated, especially since he is already well past his retirement date.

Today, the normal day for new bishop appointments in the United States, the VIS will not be transmitted since the feast of St. Joseph the worker is a holiday in the Vatican. I highly doubt, however, that a new appointment would be announced so quickly, judging by how these things normally go.

I guess that means we'll have more time to offer up prayers.

Update: Also, I've been reminded that Lansing has a candidate for priesthood and a candidate for the permanent diaconate up for ordinations within the next couple months, and as it is, Bp. Mengeling will not be able to perform either. The LSJ tells us that he is having surgery today. You may send him cards or letters at: 300 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48933.

Notice: Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit Walter Schoenherr passed away

Thanks to reader Tim for providing a link to the notice at the Archdiocese of Detroit website:

Retired Auxiliary Bishop Walter J. Schoenherr, 87, dies of natural causes. Ordained a priest for the Detroit archdiocese in 1945, he was named an auxiliary bishop in 1968. He served in a number of parish assignments, including as pastor of St. Aloysius and Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, both in Detroit. Commenting on the life and ministry of Bishop Schoenherr, Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop of Detroit, notes that "he made the pastoral care of his brother priests his highest priority. Losing Bishop Schoenherr," the cardinal continues, "feels like losing a good friend, someone you could always count on for down-to-earth wisdom and spiritual encouragement." [more...]

Related links:

• News Release (PDF)
• Biography of Bishop Schoenherr (PDF)
• Michigan Catholic: 'He's a very humble person, very spiritual'
• Bishop Schoenherr on CTND
• Maida sent this letter to the priests of the AOD (PDF)
• Bishop Schoenherr's Catholic Heirarchy Page
• Detroit News coverage
• Detroit Free Press coverage

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him!

Carl Mengeling, Bishop of Lansing, undergoes emergency surgery

Heard through the grapevine today, but confirmed in the Lansing State Journal:

Bishop Carl Mengeling was hospitalized Thursday for bladder surgery.

The 76-year-old leader of the 10-county, 250,000-member Catholic Diocese of Lansing has canceled public appearances for the next two months or so, said Michael Diebold, director of communications for the diocese.

Diebold said surgeons were able to remove about half of a large tumor they found on Mengeling's bladder. Further tests are scheduled for next week.

Mengeling's doctors have asked that he not receive visitors or phone calls. People may send him cards or letters to: 300 W. Ottawa St., Lansing MI 48933.

Prayers are requested, as well, of course. Bishop Mengeling is my Ordinary. He is currently serving past the age of retirement, and this medical complication might accelerate the appointment of a successor. He's been very public about the fact that he feels he is too old to continue serving the diocese.

Prayers also, in that case, for the next bishop of Lansing.

Local front: Michigan residents oppose cloning, destroying embryos

CNA reports:

A statewide poll, commissioned by the Michigan Catholic Conference, demonstrates that Michigan residents are overwhelmingly opposed to measures that would clone and destroy human embryos for research.

Draft legislation, recently introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives, seeks to amend Public Act 368 of 1978, which prohibits the destruction of human embryos for research purposes.

The bill would allow researchers to clone and destroy human embryos in the process know as therapeutic cloning. No treatments or cures have resulted from therapeutic cloning to date.

Encouraging news.