September 12, 2023

Bishop Byrne returning home from Rome with ‘marching orders’ from Pope Francis

REGIONAL
Staff report

Bishop William D. Byrne poses for a picture with Bishop Austin Vetter of the Diocese of Helena in Montana. The two were classmates at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

SPRINGFIELD –  Bishop William D. Byrne is headed home after attending a Vatican course for new bishops that concluded with a Papal Audience.

Bishop Byrne was ordained a bishop and installed as the Bishop of Springfield in December of 2020.  The pandemic prevented the bishop from attending the 2021 gathering, and a long-scheduled family wedding in 2022 further delayed his participation.

Bishop Byrne humorously referred to these sessions as “baby bishop school,” adding that “because of my delays, I arrived more a toddler than a baby bishop.”

In sessions held daily during the first week of September, 114 bishops from around the world gathered for an orientation on the various Vatican offices.

“It was fascinating and fun to be with bishops from around the world,” Bishop Byrne told IObserve.

The highlight of the gathering came on Saturday, Sept. 9, as the orientation course concluded with Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica followed by a private audience for the group with Pope Francis. Bishop Byrne came away from that event inspired.

“A bishop is a successor of the apostles and so it was amazing to be with the Pope who is the 265th successor of St. Peter,” Bishop Byrne commented.

“Like our first pope, St. Peter, Pope Francis is our spiritual leader and unifier of our Catholic Church. His message was clear. We bring people to Jesus through love and compassion.  These are my marching orders,” he said.