September 21, 2011

Bishop Dale J. Melczek of Gary reacts to Archbishop Buechlein’s retirement

Archbishop Buechlein has been an incredible blessing to the priests, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and to us, his fellow bishops in the Province of Indianapolis.  He has also shared his wonderful talents with all of us in the Conference of Bishops in the United States.  We will miss him very much.  He has been completely devoted to the Church and served it well as a priest and a bishop.  We can be comforted in knowing that he will continue to serve all of us through his prayers and sacrifices at St. Meinrad Archabbey. 

We never know what tomorrow might bring.  I know that Archbishop Buechlein never expected to be called to service in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, but he put his whole heart and soul into serving as a good shepherd.  He also would never have expected the health challenges that he has experienced over the past couple years, but he gave a splendid example to us by bearing the weighty cross of his illness joyfully and without complaint. Again, I, with all of you, am very indebted to him for his service to all of us after the heart of Jesus.  When I called Archbishop Daniel on Tuesday, I promised my prayers for him and for the archdiocese.  I ask the Lord to give Archbishop Daniel the comfort of His loving presence and I pray that the Holy Spirit guide our Holy Father as he chooses the next shepherd for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

+Dale J. Melczek, Bishop of Gary

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