Mar 23, 2006 12:49 am US/Eastern
O'Malley Speaks Frankly One-On-One
by Lisa Hughes
ROME (CBS4) ―
On Friday, the leader of Boston's Catholics will be elevated to be a "Prince of the Church." This high honor is pushing the normally-private archbishop into the spotlight.
CBS4's Lisa Hughes sat down for a rare one-on-one interview with the archbishop on Wednesday to talk about his future as a cardinal.
When asked how he feels right now, O'Malley responded with a very relaxed, "I feel fine." He chuckled, "excited, but fine."
"I'm not sure exactly what all the implications of this new role are for me, but I certainly, the tasks that the church will ask me to do as a cardinal, I'll try to do them the best I can."
If O'Malley could send one message to the Catholics back home in Boston it would be one of hope. "The church has always had great challenges and difficulties in our history. Jesus never promised that it would be easy, but he promised that he would be with us."
O'Malley was no stranger to the clergy sex abuse crisis when he became Boston's archbishop in July of 2003. His previous two dioceses, in Palm Beach, Florida and Fall River, Massachusetts had also been rocked by scandal. In fact, that is a big reason why Pope John Paul II gave him the assignment. But Boston, he says, is different.
"Boston is so much bigger and the crisis was all the more profound. It's at a different level… although we've suffered great things, great things are in store for us."
It is common practice for bishops being elevated to cardinal to invite political dignitaries to be their guests in Rome, something O'Malley did not think was appropriate in his case. "Our economic situation is very dire, so I didn't feel the archdiocese should be spending a lot of money on the consistory and I think it would send the wrong message. There's great joy with the announcement of the consistory, but it's not necessary for us to have a lot of hoopla."
What is bringing him the most joy this week? "To see the people really are energized by this and very happy and feel connected to the church. That's a great consolation," O'Malley said.
He seemed a bit humbled when ask what was the highest compliment anyone could pay him. Chuckling, he answered, "I would hope that people will say I was a good priest and a good friar. I don't know whether I deserve that yet, but hopefully, someday."
Archbishop O'Malley tells us he has 16 family members in Rome right now. Their celebrations have been simple. "Well, we went for ice cream," he said laughing. "That's pretty extravagant."
O'Malley is well aware of the criticism that comes his way. He knows that a lot of people are not happy with the state of the archdiocese right now. But community leaders, reporters who cover the Vatican, even people who work for the archbishop, say spiritually he is the real deal.
Thursday, O'Malley has a full day planned with the pope and the College of Cardinals. He will arrive at the Vatican between 8:30 and 9:00am, and won't leave until after 8:00pm.
Lisa Hughes will be reporting from Rome all week. You can watch Friday morning's ceremony live on CBS4 and CBS4Boston.com at 4:30am.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Complete Coverage From Rome
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments