Installation

I am getting so excited. The Installation of Archbishop-elect Robert J. Carlson is tomorrow afternoon and Solemn Vespers is this evening.

If anyone’s interested there are details on the Archdiocese’s website, including copies of the programs for both events. While working in the Cathedral last night, I got to hear the choir rehearse all of the music for the Mass (minus the hand bells). It’s going to be lovely.

Of course, behind the scenes it will be hectic and busy. We’re expecting approximately 60 bishops, 300 priests and 100 deacons. Even though both events are billed as being open to the public, there are not many unreserved seats for the Installation Mass. And if you are planning to come, note that the procession starts at 1:30p on Wednesday.

The Mass is being aired on the local Fox station and there has been a lot of local media coverage in the past week. There are some choice comments on the station’s website in response to their query: “Archbishop-Elect Robert Carlson is considered to be a conservative. Archbishop Burke was a conservative and caused some controversy in St. Louis. Do you think St. Louis is ready for another conservative archbishop?”

“Looking forward to a shepherd whose concern is with the truth as taught by the holy catholic church.”

“'We' are NOT catholic. The fact that a new local dictator is coming to St. Louis deserves a 1 or 2 line mention - the same space that would be given to other religions.”

“I don't think that we as viewers should have to be subjected to all this cathlic church crap”

“he not god”

“We need more like Bishop Burke and Bishop Carlson. God bless!”

“Catholic historic values should be embraced with a conservative leader.”

“Our Catholic Church is an institution with well established rules. Follow the rules or don't call yourself Catholic. I don't know anything about the new Archbishop but he sounds like he'll do fine.”

“The Catholic Church is conservative. This is a dumb question.”

The wide range of comments is quite interesting, some obviously more well reasoned and deserving of consideration than others (all punctuation/grammar/etc are reproduced as given in the original post). I really think that we need to wait a few months to actually see what direction Carlson takes in the Archdiocese, what issues he puts forward as most critical and how he approaches them. There is no point in making premature judgments about how he will act in St. Louis based on past actions in other dioceses. Besides, he is our ordinary whether we like everything he does or not and must respect him and his position.