Archbishop Carlson at St. Louis installation: ‘We will never compromise our commitment to life’

June 11, 2009

Archbishop Robert Carlson was installed on June 10 as the ninth Archbishop of Saint Louis. Three of his predecessors in the prestigious see-- Archbishops John Glennon (1903-46), Joseph Ritter (1946-67), and John Carberry (1968-79)-- were created cardinals while in office, while his two immediate predecessors-- Archbishops Justin Rigali (1994-2003) and Raymond Burke (2003-08)-- were subsequently transferred to even more prestigious positions. The former is now a cardinal and the Archbishop of Philadelphia; the latter is Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura.

Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, and St. Josemaria Escriva in his installation homily, Archbishop Carlson preached:

[I]f we want to share in the glory of Christ we must do what He tells us in today's Gospel: Take up our cross and follow Him. I can tell you from my experience-- and you know from your own-- it is no easy task!

But we can strengthen and encourage each other if we do it together. In our words and deeds, day by day, let us stand together and say to the world: We are followers of Jesus Christ.

As I prepare to become the pastor of this local Church, I ask for your prayers that I might be a good shepherd-- a spiritual father who sees as his first duty to grow in holiness of life and by tasting the Father’s love for me dare to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ with joy and hope. May I never be afraid to challenge the secular culture, which is growing everyday more indifference to the teachings of Jesus Christ, especially on the life issues.

We will never compromise our commitment to life!

The city--still sometimes known as the “Rome of the West”-- was the fourth largest in the nation in 1900 (575,000 people) and the eighth largest in 1950 (857,000 people). It now ranks 52nd in the nation with 355,000 people.

 

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Further information:

• Homily of Archbishop Robert J. Carlson during his Mass of Installation (Archdiocese of Saint Louis)
• Carlson installed as new leader of St. Louis Roman Catholics (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• New St. Louis archbishop follows Archbishop Burke’s approach to pro-abortion politicians (CWN, June 8)
• New Archbishop of St. Louis speaks on withholding Communion (CWN, May 18)