Let us love one another

A new chapter of diocesan leadership begins
The Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon became the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland during his solemn rite of installation which began at 3 p.m. and concluded at 5:45 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2006, in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist.

More than 1,200 invited guests filled the 158 year-old Cathedral located at E. 9th and Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland.

Catholic leadership in attendance from outside the Diocese of Cleveland included: His Eminence Sean Patrick Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap., Archbishop of Boston; His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore; The Most Reverend Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States; and The Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati. In
addition, some 30 other visiting Bishops and still other visiting priests and deacons from dioceses around the U.S. were in attendance.

Local Catholic leadership included the Bishops of Cleveland. The Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla, Bishop-Emeritus of Cleveland; The Most Reverend A. Edward Pevec, Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland; The Most Reverend A. James Quinn, Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland; The Most Reverend Roger W. Gries, O.S.B., Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland; and The Most Reverend Martin J. Amos, Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland. Also in attendance were many of the priests and deacons of the Cleveland diocese.

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk, who served as the installing prelate, opened the liturgy with the sign of the cross and greeting. Archbishop Pietro Sambi then read the letter of appointment from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The Papal letter was then given to Bishop Lennon.

A long sustained applause came when Bishop Lennon spoke about Bishop-Emeritus Pilla. “I want to say a very special word of recognition and an expression of personal gratitude to Bishop Anthony Pilla, for his over 25 years of Episcopal leadership in this great Diocese of Cleveland.”

[Abstracted from news release on diocesan web site. The photo is by Akron Beavcon Journal photographer Paul Tople. Click here to read the Beacon Journal article on the installaton. Go to www.ohio.com to see 10 more photos by Tople on the installation. You can also order a video of the installation on the Diocese web site for $20.