December 22, 2014
This morning I learned that Pope Francis named the Most Reverend Christopher James Coyne Tenth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, the statewide Roman Catholic Diocese in Vermont. I am delighted to hear of this appointment. I know that members of the Roman Catholic faith community, along with others of us in Vermont, have been awaiting word of this good news. On behalf of myself and the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, I extend a warm and cordial welcome to Bishop Coyne as he assumes his new ministry in this beautiful part of God’s vineyard.
In a blog post this morning, Bishop Coyne wrote, “It is my intention to foster a healthy and strong relationship with the civil authorities of our state and my brothers and sisters in the ecumenical and inter-faith communities. I look forward to meeting Governor Shumlin tomorrow morning and I plan to celebrate Evening Prayer the night before my installation with as many of the leaders of our ecumenical and inter-faith partners as wish to attend.”
I am grateful to Bishop Coyne for this commitment and invitation, and I look forward to working with him and other faith leaders as we share a ministry of witness to our faith in God. In this season of joy and hope, I particularly welcome Bishop Coyne to Vermont and pray that his voice, along with other Christian leaders in our state, will boldly and faithfully proclaim the hope, love and reconciliation that is ours in Jesus Christ to a broken and hurting world.
This is a bit of a homecoming to New England for Bishop Coyne, who is originally from Massachusetts. I invite you to join me in praying for the bishop and making him feel welcome in our beautiful state. Iam already following him on Twitter @bishopcoyne.
Faithfully,
The Right Reverend Thomas C. Ely
Tenth Bishop of The Episcopal Church in Vermont
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