Pittsburgh, Pa., Apr 6, 2009 / 09:17 am
Today Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Paul J. Bradley, currently auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh as the new bishop of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Upon learning the news, the bishop spoke of his gratefulness and excitement at being appointed the fourth Bishop of Kalamazoo.
"I want to express my deep gratitude to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, for the trust he has placed in me by appointing me as the Bishop of Kalamazoo,” said Bishop Bradley. “I am both humbled and excited by this great opportunity to serve the Church as your shepherd.”
The new appointee also spoke of his appreciation for the time he spent in Pittsburgh and asked for prayers from his former diocese. Bishop Bradley also spoke “of my profound gratitude for the privilege of serving the Church of Pittsburgh as priest and bishop for these past 38 years.”
“To my family, friends, co-workers and the faithful of Pittsburgh, I beg for your prayers and your ongoing love and support in this time of transition. From the day of my birth, to the day of my ordination to the priesthood and then to the episcopate, I have been profoundly inspired and blessed by the depth of your faith, beginning with my parents, and inclusive of everyone I know and love. I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.