Abp-elect Wester: My first priority is to listen

(Vatican Radio) On Monday, 27 April, Pope Francis appointed Bishop John Wester as Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Following the announcement, Vatican Radio spoke with the new Archbishop-elect.

“I was stunned, I would say, was my first reaction,” said Bishop Wester. “I was not anticipating this. And I’ve come to call Salt Lake City, the Diocese of Salt Lake City, ‘home,’ I love it here very much.” He said he was very humbled by the appointment, but desirous of doing his best to lead his new flock in Santa Fe. “It’s kind of an emotional roller coaster right now, to be honest,” he continued. “But God’s hand is in it now, and I know that the Lord will see me through.”

Bishop Wester spoke with Vatican about his priorities: “One of my priorities right now, going into Santa Fe, is, I think, to listen. It’s a wonderful Archdiocese!” He said he’s spoken with outgoing Archbishop Michael Sheehan, and has been getting to know his new Archdiocese, including by visiting Santa Fe in the days prior to the announcement. Bishop Wester noted the many seminarians, priests, religious and lay leaders, along with the many activities promoted by the Archdiocese. The Church in Santa Fe, he said, “is very alive, very dynamic. So it’s very encouraging to me and is an honour to become a part of the Archdiocese, this wonderful community of faith.”

With all that’s happening in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Archbishop-elect Wester returned to the theme of listening. “I think the first priority for me is to listen, to see how the Holy Spirit has been working in this local Church of Santa Fe, and to see how the Lord is calling me as a shepherd in that diocese, as Pope Francis would say, to lead, sometimes from in front of the flock, sometimes behind, and sometimes in the midst of the flock.”

Archbishop-elect John Wester discusses opportunities and challenges for the Church today, including immigration and modern means of communication, in the full interview with Vatican Radio’s Christopher Wells:

Challenges in the Church: 

Immigration:

Social Communications: 

Papal Visit to US: