Archbishop Bernard Hebda joined “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley May 14 to talk about his five-year anniversary since being installed as archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
“It really seems like about five minutes,” the archbishop said. “I’m just in shock that it’s been five years.”
Conley noted that the archbishop arrived in St. Paul as a temporary administrator in 2015, a time of crisis, with an ongoing bankruptcy, civil and criminal charges stemming from clergy child sexual abuse allegations against the archdiocese by Ramsey County, and resignations of the then-archbishop and a bishop. In 2016, Archbishop Hebda’s leadership was made permanent, when he was appointed and installed as archbishop.
Archbishop Hebda said it was “a great surprise” to be named archbishop and he felt privileged to have the opportunity. Despite the challenges, the archbishop said he felt a real blessing in them as well.
“In each assignment that I’ve ever had, I’ve always had a sense that this is where the Lord wanted me,” he said.
While he recalled some dark or challenging times, Archbishop Hebda said the joyful, fulfilling times have been many, starting with the day of his installation, with the apostolic nuncio, the archbishop’s father and friends from different parts of his life in attendance — “and so many incredible people here from the archdiocese, people that I didn’t really even know that well, and I’ve since come to recognize how remarkable they are.”
Probably the most powerful moment since he’s been in the archdiocese occurred on another May 13 — while celebrating at the Cathedral of St. Paul the 100th anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima, he said. He recalled “a beautiful cross-section of God’s people” present for a special procession that day.
“We had a beautiful procession from the (State) Capitol to the cathedral,” the archbishop said. “I remember by the time I got onto the steps of the cathedral, there were still people at the Capitol.”
Asked for any specific ways the faithful can pray for him, Archbishop Hebda replied “praying that my ears would be open to the Holy Spirit in the midst of this Synod process would be extremely important, because as the Holy Father said, a Synod is really an opportunity for discernment,” and not just the discernment of the archbishop.
“I hope … through your prayers and God’s grace, that I would be able to hear what I need to hear,” he said.
Conley asked the archbishop what he liked best about being archbishop — a question he said he also recently answered in two elementary school classrooms. To hear the archbishop’s response and the full interview, tune in to this episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show. It airs at 9 p.m. May 14, 1 p.m. May 15 and 2 p.m. May 16 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Allison Spies, who gives a glimpse into the life of Bishop Thomas Grace, the archdiocese’s second bishop, and Jeremy Stanbary, executive artistic director at Open Window Theatre, who discusses current and upcoming offerings.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired:
soundcloud.com/practicingcatholic
Practicing Catholic on Spotify
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