Motor City's New Bishop: Bishop Allen Vigneron

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Inside Catholic) - Bishop Allen Vigneron, currently stationed in the Oakland diocese, has just been tapped to replace outgoing Cardinal Maida in Detroit. It's a particuarly exciting appointment for the Catholics of southeast Michigan, as the archbishop-elect is a native son of Detroit.

Vigneron's press conference this morning at Sacred Heart Major Seminary -- where he was formerly rector -- was apparently a moving coming-home event for all involved. He also addressed the region's economic woes directly (N.B.: his brother is an auto-plant worker):

"About the grace of hope: The flag and seal of the City of Detroit speak hope - Spera meliora, "Hope for better things." Even more than a call for, they command us to hope. Were this hope founded only in ourselves alone, it would inevitably disappoint. But the Christian community which I am being appointed to lead testifies that we are right to hope even in times of trial, because our hope is rooted in God who is faithful, in the Father, who in Jesus Christ, has come to dwell with us and will never abandon us. This hope, born of faith, is an invaluable contribution which the Catholics of the archdiocese offer our community as we face the social and economic changes of our time."

Michigan Catholics are getting a great shepherd. A rare case of the right man in the right place at the right time.

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