Bishop-elect Olson of Fort Worth: Challenges an invitation to conversion

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed Monsignor Michael Olson as the fourth Bishop of Fort Worth, Texas. The Illinois-native replaces Bishop Kevin Vann, who was appointed Bishop of Orange, California in September 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.

“The challenge is really that the Diocese of Fort Worth involves 28 counties in North Texas, which really geographically, is the size of the Republic of Ireland,” Bishop-elect Olson told Vatican Radio. “The challenge is not to ignore voices which are in a sense smaller but are absolutely necessary and essential in the administration of the Diocese, and assessing what are the pastoral needs for the Diocese, and the whole Church.”

Bishop-elect Olson is a priest of the Diocese of Fort Worth, a city that prides itself on being the “Gateway to the West”, so is not a stranger to the area or the people. At the same time, he said his new role brings a new perspective – to both him and the faithful.

“We can’t familiarity be a cause for presumption,” he said. “We’re really getting to know each other in a new way…with new ministries and responsibilities, and we cannot take each other for granted, as if we already know each other thoroughly and completely.”

Although he told Vatican Radio that although it is a challenge, it is also an opportunity.

“With every challenge that is an invitation from the Lord to grow, and a deeper call to conversion in light of the Gospel,” he said.

Listen to the full interview by Charles Collins with Bishop-elect Olson:

Watch the press conference of Bishop-elect Olson after his appointment