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Archbishop Emeritus Maida's Remarks at Interfaith / Civic Prayer Breakfast
Monday, February 2, 2009
Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit
My brothers and sisters of the civic community and fellow religious leaders:
I am delighted to have the opportunity to share this historic moment with you as you officially welcome Archbishop Allen Vigneron into your circle of influence. I also want to welcome you to the neighborhood here on Washington Boulevard. As you may know, the Catholic Church has been on this block since 1873, when St. Aloysius Church was established. The Chancery offices for the Archdiocese of Detroit, including Archbishop Vigneron's own office, are located just a half-block away. We are delighted that the Book Cadillac has returned in full splendor, a visible sign of progress in the City of Detroit.
As I look around the room, I am flooded with memories of many experiences we have shared over the past 18 ½ years – times of joy and experiences of sorrow and loss. As far as humanly possible we have stood together and spoken with one voice, trying to bring together the respective roles and gifts of government, business and religion. I thank you for the privilege of having been a partner with you as we have sought to bring consolation, hope and inspiration to the people of Southeast Michigan. I know that Archbishop Allen Vigneron will build on the foundation that has been developed over the past decades by me and my predecessors as he works closely with all of you.
I was invited to offer a few words of introduction, that is, to say a few things about Archbishop Vigneron. Having worked closely with him throughout my 18 ½ years in the Archdiocese and having ordained him a bishop almost 13 years ago, I know him very well and can assure you that he will be a very strong, consistent voice on behalf of the dignity of life at every stage and circumstance and he will be an articulate and persuasive speaker offering moral guidance to the many medical – moral and social issues of our time.
If you were able to participate in his installation liturgy, you already heard him speak about divine wisdom and how it incorporates self sacrificing love. As you may know, Archbishop Vigneron enjoys a Doctorate in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America. He wrote on the distinction between ambiguity and vague judgments in the phenomenologist writing of Edmund Husserol. Perhaps the Archbishop will be able to give you some insights into this lofty topic at some point in the months and years ahead!
Being a native of the metro area, Archbishop Vigneron is well aware of the ethnic and racial diversity of our metro area and appreciated the fact that this diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Having served as Bishop of Oakland California for six years, he understands first hand the challenges and opportunities of building a mosaic out of diversity. I know he especially looks forward to working closely with the other religious leaders and ecumenical leaders. I have already shared with him the custom we established of meeting on a regular basis and hopefully he will be able to find time in his schedule to get to know you and discuss with you the many challenges that lie hidden from our eyes.
As I conclude my words of introduction, please know of my personal gratitude for your many kindnesses to me over the years. Even though I will be officially retired, I will still be living in the metro area at St. John's in Plymouth and would welcome ongoing contact to the degree that it might be helpful for our respective communities. I remind you that from now on, the voice of the Catholic Church here in Detroit is not mine; it is the voice of Archbishop Allen Vigneron. As Archbishop Emeritus, I stand at his side ever ready to assist him in whatever way he invites me to do so. For today, I ask that you join me in giving a warm welcome to the fifth archbishop of Detroit and our fifth Archbishop, the Most Reverend Allen Henry Vigneron.
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