Statement of Bishop David A. Zubik on the Appointment of Monsignor Edward J. Burns as Bishop of Juneau

The appointment of Msgr. Burns as bishop of Juneau, Alaska, is a cause of celebration for the Church because it recognizes in him the same qualities of pastoral care and spiritual leadership in priestly vocations that we have known here for many years, and has been recognized nationally in his nearly decade-long service at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. I join his many friends among the clergy, religious and faithful of our Diocese in wishing him well and asking God's blessing on him. As he leaves Pittsburgh, he takes with him the admiration and affection of all of us, together with our prayers for him and his pastoral ministry in Juneau.

It will be an honor for me to ordain Msgr. Burns a Bishop on March 3, 2009 at Saint Paul Cathedral, the site of so many joyful events in our Diocese. This will be the first time I will be ordaining a bishop, an awesome privilege made doubly so by ordaining a good friend. This will be a moment that the whole Diocese can share in gratitude for his priestly service and friendship, as we celebrate with his wonderful parents – Donald and Geraldine Burns – and the rest of his family.

I know from my own experience when I was appointed bishop of Green Bay that it can be bittersweet leaving Pittsburgh. But our vocation is to serve wherever we are needed by the Church. Msgr. Burns will bring his deep faith, his great skills, and his love of Christ and His Church to the people of Juneau. We will all miss him. Yet, we are excited in knowing that the Diocese of Juneau is blessed to have such an extraordinary Bishop.