From teen shoe salesman in Tell City, Indiana, to archbishop of Anchorage, it seems his life has been full of unexpected turns. That’s how Bishop Paul Etienne of Cheyenne, Wyoming, described his elevation to archbishop and assignment to the Far North. But some people weren’t too surprised the pope chose him for greater responsibilities, namely the family who watched him grow up.
The installation of Bishop Paul Etienne as the new archbishop of Anchorage will be live streamed on the Catholic Anchor website — CatholicAnchor.org. The installation Mass, in which Archbishop Roger Schwietz will formally hand over leadership of the Anchorage Archdiocese to his successor, will take place on Nov. 9, beginning at 2 p.m.
The next archbishop of Anchorage had a simple message for Alaska’s youth: “God wants to be personal with us.” This was the theme Bishop Paul Etienne highlighted in his first address to Alaskan youth during a recent Mass at Lumen Christi High School in Anchorage.
Two Alaska Supreme Court justices are up for election this fall. The judges are Justices Peter Maasen and Joel Bolger, who helped strike down a voter-approved law requiring at least one parent be notified before an abortion could be perform on a minor girl. On Nov. 8 Alaskans will decide whether to remove Maasen and Bolger.
When dropping his resignation letter in the mail 16 months ago Archbishop Schwietz had no idea when his successor would be named or who he would be.
I anticipate that his ministry will include a focus on supporting our schools as well as on church vocations. As he brings new energy and enthusiasm to the office of archbishop and to his focus on the new evangelization, I pray that God will render fruitful his ministry and bless the continued growth in discipleship of our family of faith.
Changes are afoot in Alaska this November, both in the halls of government and the spiritual leadership of the Catholic Church. During these pivotal transitions the faithful should be fully engaged. First up is Nov. 8, when we have a duty to participate in advancing the common good of our immediate communities, state and nation by casting ballots that are guided by well-formed consciences and a commitment to uphold the non-negotiable moral teachings of Christ and his church.
With retirement just a few days away, outgoing Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has invited youth and young adults to join him for a Mass in which he can give thanks for the many years of ministry with these generations and their leaders. The Mass will take place Nov. 6, 5:30 p.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage.
Incoming Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne flew from Wyoming and landed in Anchorage on Nov. 3 to begin preparation for his Nov. 9 installation as the new Archbishop of Anchorage.
This year two Alaska Supreme Court justices, Joel Bolger and Peter Maasan, are on the ballot. Earlier this year Bolger and Maasan voted to strike down, as unconstitutional, a law providing for parental notification for a minor’s abortion enacted as an initiative by the people in 2010 with 90,000 Alaskan voters approving the initiative, a 56% majority.