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Carole Mikita reporting Thousands turned out today to bid farewell to Archbishop-designate George Niederauer, who has led the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese for eleven years.
Pope Benedict appointed him to his next post in San Francisco.
To a standing room only crowd of worshippers, the soon-to-be Archbishop of San Francisco celebrated a farewell mass.
Archbishop-designate George Niederauer "It has been my great joy to serve the Lord with you these last eleven years...i will remain forever grateful to you for your support of my work and your many kindnesses to me and your prayers, most of all..."
During an interview earlier this week, he expressed deep feelings about his time here.
Archbishop-Designate George Niederauer: "It led to some of the most wonderful, beautiful years of my life...so, I hope I can repeat the pattern. But right now, it is a wrench...yes, it's difficult to leave people, to leave the diocese... To leave Utah, you know, wonderful people..."
While bishop, he championed interfaith relations. He says his message for all Utahns would be similar to what President Hinckley has taught.
Archbishop-Designate George Niederauer: "To respect and honor diversity...to celebrate the differences in one another and not just merely tolerate them.. Having a compassion for the needs of the entire community and reaching out to them because that's what Jesus did and if we're Christians, that's what we're supposed to do..."
The members of the diocese held a special reception for soon-to-be Archbishop Niederauer, so that people from the community of all faiths could come and say goodbye and thank you to a very popular religious leader.
Deacon Max Flaim, Tooele resident: "Brought us together so that we get along, we trust each other and we respect each other...that's the important thing, that's what he's done for us..."
Clara Burk, Madeleine Choir School: "We'll just miss his kindness and how good he was to everybody..."
Archbishop-Designate George Niederauer: "It's exciting to be able to have the one last time to be able to see people face-to-face and say goodbye..."
An appointment from the Pope cannot be ignored, says the new Archbishop. But it was clear, this man of faith will be sorely missed.
Archbishop George Niederauer will be ordained at the Cathedral of St. Mary, in San Francisco, on February 15th.
