Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, surrounded by bishops from around the country, presides at the Mass of Christian Burial on April 7 for Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Madison, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner) |
MADISON — It was “a celebration of life and hope and of Christ’s love.”
That’s how Bishop Paul J. Swain described the Mass of Christian Burial on April 7 for Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Madison.
In his homily, Bishop Swain said that Bishop Bullock would not want to be remembered so much for his accomplishments as for the witness of his faith and life as a follower of Christ.
“He would want this Mass to be a celebration of life and hope and of Christ’s love, which he preached sometimes with words, and to encourage us all to live in that love, to love others as He has loved us.”
Now the bishop of Sioux Falls, S.D., Bishop Swain served for eight years with Bishop Bullock. They arrived at the chancery of the Diocese of Madison on the same day in June of 1993. Bishop George O. Wirz, who had been administrator of the diocese after the death of Bishop Cletus F. O’Donnell, had asked then Fr. Paul Swain to join the chancery staff.