By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor, Rhode Island Catholic
PROVIDENCE — In a glorious Mass of Reception at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on Jan. 26, nine weeks after being appointed by Pope Francis to serve as coadjutor Bishop of Providence with the right of succession, Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, D.D., S.T.D., presented the papal bull, signed by the Holy Father, to Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, D.D., authenticating his appointment.
Archbishop Christophe Pierre, D.D., J.C.D., apostolic nuncio to the United States; Cardinal Timothy Dolan, of New York; Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap., of Boston; and Metropolitan Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, were among the 40 bishops in attendance at the Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop Tobin, with Bishop Henning concelebrating.
The apostolic nuncio presented the papal decree to Bishop Henning, who then brought it to Bishop Tobin and displayed it to the College of Consultors in the presence of Chancellor Father Timothy Reilly, before processing up and down the outer aisles of the cathedral holding the document aloft for everyone to view.
Archbishop Pierre said that the new coadjutor had distinguished himself while serving as an auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, as a seminary formator, educator and leader, as well as a shepherd with a keen eye toward evangelization.