MADISON — In response to news that Bishop William P. Callahan, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, was named Bishop of La Crosse June 11 by Pope Benedict XVI, the bishops of Madison released statements of congratulations and welcome.
A statement by the Diocese of Madison released June 11 in response to the news said, “It is with great joy that the Diocese of Madison learns today of Pope Benedict XVI’s appointment of Bishop William P. Callahan, OFM as 10th Bishop of La Crosse, WI. Having served as Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee since 2007 and serving as a priest in the Archdiocese before that, Bishop Callahan is no stranger to Wisconsin, our faithful people, our many strengths and our struggles.”
In the release, Bishop Robert C. Morlino stated: “Since Bishop Callahan’s appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee in 2007, it has been a great pleasure getting to know him personally and collaborating with him. He has proven himself a very effective participant in the work of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, in a very short time. His spiritual wisdom and depth, his genial personality, on top of his many excellent personal gifts, will make him a very fine Bishop of La Crosse. My prayers, and those of the entire Diocese of Madison, are with Bishop Callahan and the people of La Crosse, as the bishop prepares to be installed later this summer.”
Bishop William H Bullock, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Madison, released the following statement June 11: “We all rejoice with the Diocese of La Crosse in the appointment of Bishop William Callahan as their new Bishop succeeding Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee. Bishop William Callahan is a gifted person with a loving heart for God’s people. Both of which will serve him well in the Diocese of La Crosse. His leadership as Administrator of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in the interim between Archbishop Dolan’s appointment as Archbishop of New York to the appointment of Archbishop Listecki revealed some beautiful signs that he ably brings head and heart together.
“Along with my congratulations to Bishop Callahan and the Diocese of La Crosse, where I had the privilege of celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation in seven parishes this past spring, I offer my prayers. The Diocese of La Crosse is a vibrant Diocese and I am confident that Bishop Callahan will bring it to even new levels of its full potential,” Bishop Bullock said.
Bishop George O. Wirz, former auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Madison, remarked June 16 that Bishop Callahan is the tenth bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, established over 142 years ago. “The Diocese has been blessed with an extraordinary series of Bishops, each with their own diverse gifts,” he stated.
“If we were to anticipate the special grace of Bishop Callahan, it would be his spirit of St. Francis of Assisi,” Bishop Wirz continued. “May that Saint bring his gentleness, love, and peace to all God’s people through their new Shepherd.”