COMMENTS AT LANSING PRESS CONFERENCE—February 27, 2008
Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling

In the name of the Diocese of Lansing, I cordially and respectfully welcome members of the media, all present and many who are with us through the media. Bible readers are familiar with “I bring you tidings of great joy.” Today, February 27, 2008, I am blessed to be the bearer and bringer of GOOD NEWS. For more than two years, we have been patiently waiting, amidst much rumor and speculation, for the announcement of a new bishop for the Diocese of Lansing.

Today, we thank God and rejoice in our new bishop of the Diocese of Lansing appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. On Friday, Feb.15, the apostolic nuncio to the United States of America in Washington, D.C., Archbishop Pietro Sambi, informed me by phone that Pope Benedict XVI accepted my resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Lansing. (For your information, church law requires that, at 75, a bishop must submit a letter of resignation to the Holy Father. I did so in 2005.)

The nuncio then said, “The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of Lansing, in the United States of America, Bishop Earl A. Boyea, titular bishop of Siccenna and auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Detroit.” The nuncio directed that my resignation and the appointment of Bishop Boyea become public after the official announcement by the Holy See in the Vatican at noon on Feb. 27, 2008.

Bishop Boyea will be the fifth bishop of Lansing in the 70-year history of the diocese since its foundation in 1937. I note four pivotal and sequential milestones in Bishop Boyea’s life:

[With the information in your hands and on the website of the Diocese of Lansing - www.dioceseoflansing.org and www.faithmag.org - you can complete the picture.]

BIRTH  Pontiac, Michigan on April 10, 1951
PRIEST  Ordained for the Archdiocese of Detroit on May 20, 1978
BISHOP  Ordained on September 13, 2002 to serve as Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
DIOCESAN BISHOP  To be installed as Bishop of Lansing on April 29, 2008 at 2:00 PM

For 12 years, I have met with Bishop Boyea on various occasions and I know:

Above all, he loves being a priest and bishop who loves Christ and his church.

He seeks to be a eucharistic priest with a servant’s heart.

He is a “people person” friendly, relational, engaging and an available, willing and generous servant, blessed with a sharp mind and sense of humor;

He is gifted with high energy and enthusiasm for the mission of the church;

I believe he will be a Good Shepherd – inviting, welcoming, teaching, sanctifying and serving all in the name of Christ in these 10 mid-Michigan counties.

My brother, Bishop Earl, the community of believers in this local church freely and fully accepts you as our bishop. We thank our Lord and his Petrine servant, Benedict XVI, for naming you bishop of Lansing. We heartily offer you our respect, confidence and fidelity and especially our prayers. Now, in the name of all, I joyfully welcome you, Bishop Earl Boyea - my bishop - our bishop - to the Diocese of Lansing!

For more information, contact:
Michael Diebold, Director of Communications
Diocese of Lansing
mdiebold@dioceseoflansing.org
517-342-2475 Direct
517-342-2544 Fax

Web sites:
Diocese of Lansing:  www.DioceseofLansing.org
FAITH Magazine, Diocese of Lansing: www.FAITHmag.com