50th Anniversary, Diocese of Arlington
Remarks of the Metropolitan Archbishop
Cathedral of Saint Thomas More
Arlington, Virginia
September 5, 2024
Dear Friends,
As this beautiful celebration draws to a close, allow me to offer a brief but hearty word of congratulations to Bishop Burbidge and to the Diocese of Arlington. The Diocese of Arlington is part of the ecclesiastical province of Baltimore, together with the dioceses of Richmond, Wheeling Charleston, and Wilmington – so together with the bishops of those dioceses, I also offer warmest congratulations both on the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Arlington and on the magnificent renovation of this cathedral church.
In addition, we are marking today another special anniversary. Today is the 23rd anniversary of Bishop Burbidge’s ordination as a bishop. But let me let you in on a secret. The stained glass windows in this renovated cathedral are beautiful. They are designed to catechize and evangelize, not just to decorate. Word has it, though, that embedded somewhere in these windows is a little round piece of stain glassed with the logo of the Philadelphia Eagles! I’m probably in trouble for letting the cat out of the bag!
Today’s celebration brings back many memories. In fact, I am one of a dwindling number of people who were present in this Cathedral on that day in August 1974 when the first bishop of Arlington, Thomas Welch, was installed. At the time, I was the greenest of seminarians, but in spite of that, my summer job was to help out at the Apostolic Delegation, now known as the Apostolic Nunciature . . . duties included cutting the grass, driving, serving meals, typing form letters, etcetera. That day I was asked to drive the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Jean Jadot, to the installation of the new bishop in the newly established Diocese of Arlington, just across the Potomac River. Piloting an enormous Lincoln Continental, I miraculously managed to deliver the Apostolic Delegate to this Cathedral on time, without getting lost and without sideswiping anyone. During Mass, I sat in that transept over there – behind 25 or 30 bishops and witnessed for the first time the installation of a bishop, the first of many. You might say I was “present at creation”.
Since then, I watched with admiration as the diocese grew not only in numbers but in its vitality and strength. As years passed, I was blessed to enjoy the friendship and collaboration of both Bishop Loverde and Bishop Burbidge, great shepherds who have served this diocese with great love and effectiveness.
Today’s dedication of the altar in this wonderfully renovated Cathedral of St. Thomas More epitomizes, not only the strength of this diocese, but also its beauty, and God-willing, a very bright future. So from the Province of Baltimore and its bishops – together with our shared neighbor, the Archdiocese of Washington, our warmest congratulations and heartfelt prayers – ad multos annos!