New bishop of Boise prays for an understanding heart

Boise, Idaho, Nov 4, 2014 / 16:42 pm

Bishop Peter Christensen, the newly appointed Bishop of Boise, asked for prayers on Tuesday that he will be granted an understanding heart, open to God's will for his new local Church.

"If I could just ask you to take a few seconds in your heart to offer a prayer for me as your bishop, that I do exactly what the Lord intends for me to do for the well-being of each of you, that you and I can grow in our journey of faith," Bishop Christensen said Nov. 4 during a press conference announcing his appointment to Boise.

He then paused for a moment of quiet prayer, and thanked those present for their prayers for his new ministry.

Bishop Christensen also addressed the priests and religious of the Boise diocese who were watching a videostream of the conference, noting that the prophet Samuel had asked the Lord only for "a heart that had understanding."

"That would be my desire too, that you keep me in your prayers, that I have an understanding heart, that I really know what God wants for me to do in union with you. That would be greatly appreciated."

Bishop Christensen was born in Pasadena in 1952, and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 1985.

In 2007 he was appointed Bishop of Superior, where he has served until now.

He succeeds Bishop Michael Driscoll, 75, as Bishop of Boise.

Bishop Driscoll said at the press conference that "I am delighted that Bishop Peter is being my successor … he is a man of energy and prayer and love for the church, and will find in Idaho a community of committed and faithful Catholics willing to serve and follow him in the years ahead."

Bishop Christensen began his remarks by admitting this is "the first time I've been in Boise, Idaho," but added that "this is a wonderful and diverse state with beautiful mountains and prairies, deserts, rivers and green valleys. Yet nothing reveals the love of God for this community more than the good works and faithfulness of his people. I look forward to seeing the beauty of creation through the holiness and love of Idaho Catholics, and hope that you see God's love reflected in me in the same way."

He remarked on his arrival by plane the night before, saying, "I wish it was a little lighter when I landed last night," so as to enjoy Idaho's beauty, and added that "I bought a map of Idaho" in order to learn more about his new local Church.

The bishop thanked both Pope Francis and the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Carlos Maria Vigano, for their trust in him; Bishop Driscoll for his care of the Boise diocese; and the people of the Superior diocese for their service.

"I promise to give you my heart, my efforts, my fervent prayers," he told the people of Idaho. "I look forward to all that God asks of us," he added, as we journey to "meet the Father face to face; and that's where we will feel most at home."

"I look forward to sharing that journey with you."

The Diocese of Boise serves the entire state of Idaho, where there are 174,000 Catholics among a population of 1.6 million, or 11 percent of the total population. Bishop Christensen will be assisted in his governance of the diocese by 91 priests, 75 deacons, and 91 religious.

Bishop Christensen's Mass of Installation will be said Dec. 17 at St. John Cathedral in Boise.

In other pontifical acts on Nov. 4, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Christopher Kakooza to Lugazi, in Uganda; Bishop Adolfo Uriona to Villa de la Concepcion del Rio Cuarto, in Argentina; and Fr. Carlos Trinidad Gomez as Bishop of San Marcos, in Guatemala.