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SALT LAKE CITY — With an enthusiastic welcome, Bishop Oscar Solis took the bishop's seat inside the Cathedral of the Madeline Tuesday afternoon and officially became the new leader of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
The cathedral was filled to capacity with hundreds of Catholic faithful and guests eager to take part in the installation mass. After a wait of nearly two years, it was very much a celebration.
Just after 1:30 p.m., Bishop Solis walked into the cathedral with the Papal Nuncio, the representative of Pope Francis; Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, former bishop of the Salt Lake Diocese; and many fellow priests from throughout the country.
The mass itself was steeped in tradition and rich in symbolism, but this first Filipino-American bishop greeted his people in several languages and spoke of religious freedom and immigrants.
"As the scripture tells us, with the hospitality to strangers, some have unknowingly entertained angels," Bishop Solis told the congregation.
Members of the Catholic Vietnamese congregation came in traditional dress to greet the new bishop.
"It's really special when a new bishop comes in. We are so excited to see him and welcome him," one member said.
Bishop Solis, likewise, was anxious to meet them, saying he appreciates "the richness of the cultures and traditions of all who now live in this great diocese, and the splendor of the nature in Utah that only a loving God can create."
The mass also included an opportunity for the new bishop to accept a warm welcome from members of his diocese, civic leaders and representatives of other faiths. Many dignitaries were in attendance, including faith leaders who participate in the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable.
"It is an honor for Elder Christofferson and I to represent the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and we are going to wish (Bishop Solis) the very best and assure him that we stand ready to be his good friends as he takes this new labor here in Salt Lake City," said Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"We have had such a wonderful and positive and fruitful relationship over the years with the Catholic Diocese and the leadership of the Catholic Church and members, and they make a wonderful contribution," said Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the same LDS Church quorum. "We welcome (Bishop Solis) most warmly, and it is a privilege to be included."
Bishop Solis said he welcomes the association with other religious leaders in the community and believes he can learn from them.
"I will allow myself to be taught by them in order that we can become better servants of our own respective churches and faith communities," he said.
Bishop Solis, 63, was born in the Philippines and ordained as a priest in 1979. He was transferred to the United States in 1984, and in 2004 became the first Filipino-American bishop ordained in the U.S. During his service, he has focused on reaching out to minority communities.
Bishop Solis echoed Pope Francis in asking the members of his new flock to pray for him as he prepares to lead the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
"Pray that God will give me the wisdom and the strength to be a responsible shepherd of the flock," he said.
The flock Bishop Solis is entrusted to tend includes more than 300,000 Catholics in the state, as well as parishioners who speak Vietnamese, Filipino, African dialects, Tongan, Korean and Polish, among other languages.
A public reception was held at the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown later in the evening.
Contributing: Jordan Ormond, Whitney Evans
