By Kathryn Marchocki
New Hampshire Union Leader
September 19, 2011
http://www.newhampshire.com/article/20110919/NEWS08/709199977/0/newhampshire
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| Most Rev. Peter Anthony Libasci |
Pope Benedict XVI today accepted Bishop John B. McCormack’s resignation as head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester and named Auxiliary Bishop Peter Anthony Libasci of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y. to succeed him.
"I am utterly and deeply grateful to Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, who has entrusted me with this ministry," Libasci, 59, said at a news conference this morning.
"I have asked him in writing especially for his prayers that I may fulfill the duties of this sacred office to which I have been called as a good shepherd, a good priest and good bishop, a good steward in the household of faith," added Libasci who will be installed as the tenth bishop of Manchester on Dec. 8.
Libasci (pronounced Li-BA-shee) has been auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island, N.Y. since 2007. As auxiliary, he assisted Bishop William Murphy in leading the 1.4 million Catholics on Long Island and served as the bishop’s representative for Eastern Vicariate in Suffolk County.
McCormack, 76, introduced Libasci to his cabinet at a news conference at St. Joseph Cathedral Rectory.
"This is a big day for the diocese and a big day for my successor as well as for me," McCormack said.
McCormack said Libasci has a "strong devotion to the Lord" and "is a true servant of Christ."
The bishop-elect arrived in Manchester Sunday night. He joined McCormack in celebrating Mass this morning at the chapel at Trudel House, the bishop’s residence on North River Road.
They later prayed in the crypt at St. Joseph Cathedral Rectory where the bodies of five of the diocese’s bishops are buried.
The bishop-elect said it was an "overwhelming" moment to witness the history and tradition of the church in New Hampshire.
"Now you take care of this," he recounted his telling himself. "Oh, it was a powerful, powerful moment. I’m very grateful, but please pray for me because I’m praying for me."
Libasci was born in Queens, N.Y. and was ordained a priest in the Rockville Centre Diocese on April 1, 1978.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y., and a master of divinity degree from St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind.
McCormack was installed as the ninth bishop of Manchester 13 years ago Thursday. The Pope named him the diocese’s apostolic administrator. As such, he will continue to lead the diocese until the new bishop’s installation.
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