A Penitent Blogger

Mindful of my imperfections, seeking to know Truth more deeply and to live Love more fully.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus? Cum vix iustus sit securus?
Recordare, Iesu pie, Quod sum causa tuae viae: Ne me perdas illa die...

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Birmingham gets a bishop

The Holy Father has named a new bishop for the diocese of Birmingham, Alabama (USA): the Most Reverend Robert J. Baker, up to now Bishop of Charleston, South Carolina.

According to the Diocese of Charleston Web site, Bishop Baker, born in Ohio in 1944, "attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and was ordained a priest March 21, 1970 for the Diocese of St. Augustine. From 1970-1972, his first assignment was as Assistant Pastor at St. Paul's Parish, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where he was also given teaching duties at Bishop Kenny High School.

"From 1972-1975, he was assigned to study at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, where he received an S.T.L. and S.T.D. degree in Dogmatic Theology.

"During the years 1975-1999, he served in various assignments, including Spiritual Director of college Seminarians at the Pontifical College Josephinum, Pastor of the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine, and Pastor of Christ the King Church, Jacksonville, Florida. He also directed the Catholic Student Parish at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and taught Sacramental Theology at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida.

"On September 29, 1999 he was ordained and installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston. He has served on various Boards and on several USCCB Committees. He is currently Chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on Stewardship.

"He has published several articles and books. Some of his most recent publications are: When Did We See You, Lord?, co-authored with Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., and his Pastoral Letter, The Redemption Of Our Bodies: The Theology of the Body and Its Consequences for Ministry in the Diocese of Charleston; also with Tony Sands, Cacique: A Novel of Florida's Heroic Mission History. His latest book, The Questioner's Prayer, was released in April 2007 by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company. "