Diocese thrilled with elevation to cardinal

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Oct. 25, 2007

For many in the Diocese of Sioux City the only surprise in the elevation of Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo to cardinal was the speed in which it happened.

Msgr. Sernett called the cardinal-designate a wonderful bishop, a great churchman and preacher.

"I've always recognized his ability as a leader in the church to be extra-ordinary, so it doesn't surprise me that the Holy Father recognized that as well," he said. "Certainly everyone knows his intelligence and his pastoral effect in the diocese. He was loved by everyone. He always showed forth his holiness in everything he did. We wish him God's blessings abundantly for his new responsibilities and the honor that has been bestowed upon him."

Even after his move to Texas, Msgr. Sernett remained in contact with the Archbishop DiNardo and he always told the archbishop "you'd look good in red."

Jim Wharton, the former director of communications of the diocese and close friend of the cardinal-designate, said he was privileged to receive a call from Archbishop DiNardo shortly after hearing the news.

"I told him that the whole attitude of everyone here was under the common theme - Sioux City is rejoicing today," he said. "He is such a humble man."

The cardinal-designate told Wharton about the call he received from the papal nuncio and said with each call he has been surprised - first when he got the call about Sioux City, then Galveston-Houston and being named a cardinal offered the greatest surprise of all.

Wharton, a big sports fan, always tried to get the archbishop interested in sports and specifically the St. Louis Cardinals but with the exception of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Archbishop DiNardo was more interested in fine arts than athletics.

"I would kid him and say how can you be Catholic and not like a team called The Cardinals?" he said. After all these years of joking about The Cardinals, Wharton told the cardinal-designate that he had finally "made the team" but the archbishop replied that his team was a little different from the one that plays in St. Louis.

The archbishop's quick wit, engaging personality and inclusive spirit are some attributes that Wharton will remember.

"Anyone who met him, even if for the first time, came away with the opinion that he was a very special person," said Wharton. "All of us are humbled to call him bishop and friend."

Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City said the elevation of Archbishop DiNardo is an honor for the diocese.

"How happy and blessed we are that the Diocese of Sioux City has one of its own to become a cardinal in the church," he said. "So many people in the diocese know, appreciate and love Cardinal-designate DiNardo. What a gift it is for us - we helped him come to be where he is today."

Father Jeff Schleisman, pastor at St. Mary Church in Larchwood and Holy Name in Rock Rapids, was thrilled with the announcement. He was the first priest that Bishop DiNardo ever ordained and through the laying on of hands in the ordination rite he said that creates a closeness, "almost like a father-child relationship."

During the bishop's homily at Father Schleisman's ordination, the cardinal-designate spoke of how thrilling it was for him to ordain a priest and that is something the priest will always remember.

Father Schleisman said he told students in the parish religious education classes about the appointment of the former leader of the diocese and he reminded them that the first time the archbishop ever confirmed was in Larchwood.

"So there is a connection in regards to firsts with confirmation and Holy Orders," he said.

Msgr. Mark Duchaine, vicar general of the diocese, said the elevation of Archbishop DiNardo to cardinal is something for which the archbishop is well qualified given the archbishop's experience, intelligence and deep commitment to the faith.

"It is a distinct honor for him and for us as well," said Msgr. Duchaine. "We all knew he was destined for great things in the church but I don't think that any of us anticipated that it would happen as quickly as it did."

Msgr. Roger Augustine, former vicar general of the diocese during Bishop DiNardo's time in the diocese, said he was elated to hear the news.

"Throughout his time here, I was very aware that he had a great love of the church that he served," he said. "He obviously served well here. I think he will do very well in the capacity that the Holy Father expects of him as well as all who are appointed to help him on matters and issues for the betterment of the church."

The monsignor found the cardinal-designate very easy to work with and always had concern about the needs of the people, the priests and the church at heart.

"I very much appreciated the opportunity to work with him here in the diocese," he said.

Father Brian Hughes, pastor at St. Patrick Church in Estherville and former director of vocations of the diocese, said he was thrilled to hear of the elevation.

"This is a great honor to Archbishop DiNardo and great honor to the American church," he said. "Archbishop DiNardo was a very talented man - a man of prayer, a man of great intellect and great service to the church so it didn't come as a surprise to me that he would have a position of greater responsibility in the church. The fact that it came so quickly and so soon after he became an archbishop was a real surprise to me."

He said the fact that Galveston-Houston becomes a see with a cardinal is also a surprise to him as well as the American church.

The priest had the chance to work closely with the cardinal-designate on the diocesan vocations program and on the renovation of the cathedral.

Father Hughes referred to a document from the Second Vatican Council on the life and ministry of bishops, which is a challenging job description for bishops.

"Bishop DiNardo always worked on all the aspects of that document very hard," he said. "He is a man that felt called to the office of the episcopacy and worked hard - consciously and deliberately - to be a good bishop. He committed himself to the various aspects of his ministry - bishop as servant, bishop as leader of prayer, bishop as liturgist, bishop as spiritual father and bishop as teacher."