New Baltimore Archbishop Installed Wednesday
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- There's a new hand at the helm of Baltimore's Catholic archdiocese. Wednesday afternoon, the church officially installed Rev. William Lori as the new Archbishop of Baltimore in an elaborate ceremony at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
Derek Valcourt has a look at the service and some of the remarks from the new Archbishop.
Pomp and circumstance and a warm welcome for Archbishop Lori, who promises to fight for Catholic values and religious liberty.
Hundreds of priests, bishops and cardinals were on hand at the official installation ceremony for Archbishop William Lori.
"We priests have such a devotion to him because he's been a leader of the flock for so long now," said Fr. Gregory Gresko.
The service drew hundreds of the Catholic faithful from across the country, including from Connecticut, where he last worked.
"We are going to miss him tremendously," said Sister Joan Magnetti.
As Lori took the seat at the head of the cathedral, he became the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore, the oldest diocese in the country. Lori replaces Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, who leaves for Rome Thursday.
"Now, dear friends, you and I must be loyal Americans by being bold and courageous Catholics," Lori said.
In his first homily as Archbishop, Lori called on Catholics to bring their faith and values to the public square.
"To proclaim the person of Christ, to teach the values that flow from faith and reason, to defend the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and to uphold the institution of marriage as between a man and a woman," Lori said.
His strong advocacy for the Catholic positions on social issues are welcomed by many in the flock he now shepherds.
"We're just really excited about him, his views and his idea of the traditional church," said Sister Phillip Joseph.
With the installation now over, the Archbishop will immediately get to work getting to know the community. On Thursday, he'll be out serving the needy at Our Daily Bread in Baltimore.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is home to some half a million Catholics.
Watch the raw video:
William Lori Installed As New Archbishop Of Baltimore
William Lori Speaks At His Installation
Lori Holds His First Communion As Archbishop Of Baltimore
Congregation Celebrates Lori's Installation As Archbishop
