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Catholic leader arrives Long-awaited Bishop brings spirit of ecumenism
By Sarah Bruyn Jones
Tuscaloosa News
Aug 15, 2007
BIRMINGHAM | After a 27-month wait, the Vatican announced Tuesday the appointment of Bishop Robert J.
Baker as the new bishop for north Alabama.
Baker, 63, will be officially installed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham, which includes
Tuscaloosa, on Oct. 2.
He replaces Bishop David E. Foley, who retired in 2005 after 11 years but remained as the Roman Catholic
diocese’s administrator until a successor could be named.
“We have waited a long time for a bishop," said Foley introducing Baker to a room full of priests, nuns, laity and
media representatives Tuesday morning. “I tell you, the wait has been well worth the time."
The appointment was delayed for more than two years, in part due to the death of Pope John Paul II.
Pope Benedict XVI selected Baker for the post, moving him from his former post as bishop of Charleston, S.C.,
where he has spent the last eight years. The wait was the longest period a diocese has been without a bishop.
While the 39 counties included in the Birmingham diocese have about 86,500 Catholic residents -- less than half
of the 176,300 Catholics in South Carolina -- it also includes the Roman Catholic broadcasting operation Eternal
Word Television Network.
Baker has ties to the network, including having made appearances on its programs and co-authoring “When Did
We See You, Lord?" with Eternal Word Television personality the Rev. Benedict J. Groeschel in 2005.
Baker, who is originally from Ohio, said he accepted the transfer to a smaller area out of faithfulness and
because of his fondness for the South.
“It’s not a numbers game, it’s a matter of sharing the message of Christ," he said.
Baker, who said met Eternal Word Television founder Mother Angelica a few years ago during a visit to her
convent north of Birmingham, commended the network’s ability to evangelize to people of other faiths and learn
from Christians of different denominations.
He said he plans to continue embracing that thrust, which he referred to as “evangelical Catholicism."
“To me that’s on target for the South, and the rest of the country would benefit from it," said Baker, adding that
he respects what many of the Protestant churches in the Bible Belt have been able to do in evangelism and
stewardship.
He also noted that, while there are obvious theological and doctrinal differences between Roman Catholics and
other Christian faiths, he is committed to working with those of other faiths.
“I pledge to seek with you those areas of common concern and belief, to help us build bridges between us,
while respecting the areas of divergence that call for further prayer, reflection and dialogue," he said in
prepared introductory remarks Tuesday.
“Always may we maintain a spirit of mutual respect and deep love for one another."
Besides reaching out to those of other faiths, Baker said the church in Alabama should continue to reach out to
the state’s Spanish-speaking immigrant population. He is involved with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.
“The immigration issue looms large in the South and we need to be part of asking the questions about what do
we do and where do we go from here," he said.
While not fluent in Spanish, Baker spoke a little bit of Spanish at the news conference announcing his
appointment and said he can communicate in Spanish. He said he is more proficient in Italian than Spanish
because of the time he spent in Rome.
In his remarks Baker spoke about the importance of making a priority of promoting vocations to the priesthood
and religious.
He also emphasized stewardship of all Catholics, children, teenagers and adults, and the duty to help everyone
from the sick, homeless and needy to the addicted, imprisoned, elderly and unborn.
“We need you to share the richness of your gifts, given to you by God," he said, speaking to the local Catholic
community.
Reach Sarah Bruyn Jones at sarah.jones@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0209.
By Sarah Bruyn Jones
Tuscaloosa News
Aug 15, 2007
BIRMINGHAM | After a 27-month wait, the Vatican announced Tuesday the appointment of Bishop Robert J.
Baker as the new bishop for north Alabama.
Baker, 63, will be officially installed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham, which includes
Tuscaloosa, on Oct. 2.
He replaces Bishop David E. Foley, who retired in 2005 after 11 years but remained as the Roman Catholic
diocese’s administrator until a successor could be named.
“We have waited a long time for a bishop," said Foley introducing Baker to a room full of priests, nuns, laity and
media representatives Tuesday morning. “I tell you, the wait has been well worth the time."
The appointment was delayed for more than two years, in part due to the death of Pope John Paul II.
Pope Benedict XVI selected Baker for the post, moving him from his former post as bishop of Charleston, S.C.,
where he has spent the last eight years. The wait was the longest period a diocese has been without a bishop.
While the 39 counties included in the Birmingham diocese have about 86,500 Catholic residents -- less than half
of the 176,300 Catholics in South Carolina -- it also includes the Roman Catholic broadcasting operation Eternal
Word Television Network.
Baker has ties to the network, including having made appearances on its programs and co-authoring “When Did
We See You, Lord?" with Eternal Word Television personality the Rev. Benedict J. Groeschel in 2005.
Baker, who is originally from Ohio, said he accepted the transfer to a smaller area out of faithfulness and
because of his fondness for the South.
“It’s not a numbers game, it’s a matter of sharing the message of Christ," he said.
Baker, who said met Eternal Word Television founder Mother Angelica a few years ago during a visit to her
convent north of Birmingham, commended the network’s ability to evangelize to people of other faiths and learn
from Christians of different denominations.
He said he plans to continue embracing that thrust, which he referred to as “evangelical Catholicism."
“To me that’s on target for the South, and the rest of the country would benefit from it," said Baker, adding that
he respects what many of the Protestant churches in the Bible Belt have been able to do in evangelism and
stewardship.
He also noted that, while there are obvious theological and doctrinal differences between Roman Catholics and
other Christian faiths, he is committed to working with those of other faiths.
“I pledge to seek with you those areas of common concern and belief, to help us build bridges between us,
while respecting the areas of divergence that call for further prayer, reflection and dialogue," he said in
prepared introductory remarks Tuesday.
“Always may we maintain a spirit of mutual respect and deep love for one another."
Besides reaching out to those of other faiths, Baker said the church in Alabama should continue to reach out to
the state’s Spanish-speaking immigrant population. He is involved with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.
“The immigration issue looms large in the South and we need to be part of asking the questions about what do
we do and where do we go from here," he said.
While not fluent in Spanish, Baker spoke a little bit of Spanish at the news conference announcing his
appointment and said he can communicate in Spanish. He said he is more proficient in Italian than Spanish
because of the time he spent in Rome.
In his remarks Baker spoke about the importance of making a priority of promoting vocations to the priesthood
and religious.
He also emphasized stewardship of all Catholics, children, teenagers and adults, and the duty to help everyone
from the sick, homeless and needy to the addicted, imprisoned, elderly and unborn.
“We need you to share the richness of your gifts, given to you by God," he said, speaking to the local Catholic
community.
Reach Sarah Bruyn Jones at sarah.jones@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0209.
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Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
media inquiries: Melissa Williams
Media Relations Coordinator
(202) 635-5810
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(202) 635-5810
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