New era begins with the appointment of the next archbishop of Omaha

The Archdiocese of Omaha made history Monday, March 31, when Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop George J. Lucas and appointed his successor, Bishop Michael G. McGovern of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois.

The newly appointed leader had a whirlwind day on his first visit ever to Omaha and the archdiocese – appearing before news media, meeting many of the people who will serve him and making stops in Omaha at St. Cecilia Cathedral and School, at the tomb of Servant of God Father Edward Flanagan and St. John Paul II Newman Center.

He will be installed as the sixth archbishop of Omaha on May 7.

Archbishop Lucas introduced his replacement at a 10 a.m. press conference at the Chancery in Omaha, calling him a great gift from God for the archdiocese.

Archbishop-designate McGovern, who was ordained a bishop in the Diocese of Belleville five years ago, said he was humbled by the appointment.

Archbishop-designate Michael McGovern answers questions from the media at his introductory press conference.

He described himself as a pastor at heart and asked for prayers that he might be a good shepherd for the people of the archdiocese.

Though he’s had administrative roles in his 31 years as a priest, he said he’s loved being a pastor most of all.

“Being a pastor has been a most rewarding experience, and I consider being a parish pastor a privilege in the best sense of the word.

“As I prepare to move to Omaha, I look forward to meeting the clergy and faithful, hearing your stories of how you have encountered Jesus in your lives and what the Lord has done for you,” the 60-year-old prelate said.

“I ask for your prayers for me that Christ may help me in this transition and provide the gifts needed to be a good shepherd to all the people.”

In mentioning the many people he looked forward to meeting, he included fallen-away Catholics.

 “I would like to meet those who, for whatever reason, no longer participate in the life of the Church, who also are important to me. I will try to provide ways to meet you and listen to you.”

Archbishop-designate Michael McGovern prays at the tomb of Servant of God Father Edward Flanagan at Immaculate Conception parish at Boys Town.

Archbishop-designate Michael McGovern is greeted by students at St. Cecilia Cathedral School.

He reached out to Hispanics in the archdiocese by introducing himself to them in Spanish.

Archbishop-designate McGovern thanked numerous people at the livestreamed press conference, which was viewed by more than 3,000 people by Monday afternoon. He thanked the apostolic nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who called him on March 23 with news of the appointment from Pope Francis.

Then-Bishop McGovern had been driving from one Confirmation to another in his diocese and had to pull over to take the call, he said. It was five years to the day from when he received a similar call, asking him to transition from a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago to the bishop of the Diocese of Belleville.

After his drive on March 23, when Archbishop-designate McGovern arrived at the second parish, he said, “I asked the pastor if I could have a few minutes in the chapel with the Blessed Sacrament, just to prepare for Mass, but also with this news that was just shared with me. … It was a very important moment.”

During the Omaha press conference, Archbishop-designate McGovern also thanked his former superior and Omaha native, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago; Archbishop Lucas; Archbishop Emeritus Elden Francis Curtiss; the people and staff of the Belleville diocese; and his family, which includes seven siblings and his late parents.

Three men called to lead the archdiocese share a laugh after the press conference. From left: Archbishop Lucas, Archbishop-designate McGovern and Archbishop Emeritus Elden Francis Curtiss.

He thanked the priests of the Archdiocese of Omaha for their service and pledged his support for them.

The Illinois native noted the “great reputation” of the Archdiocese of Omaha as a local church and its strong Catholic schools.

He said he looked forward to working with schools, young people and healthcare workers. He currently serves on a subcommittee on health care for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“These are all issues that I’m interested in and ministries that I’d like to participate in,” Archbishop-designate McGovern said at the press conference.

Because of his service in Belleville and other parts of rural Illinois, he has grown in appreciation of farmers, he said. As bishop, twice a year – in the spring and fall – he has blessed farms. It’s a tradition he said he would like to continue in rural northeast Nebraska.

Bishop Michael McGovern blesses a combine at a farm in the Diocese of Belleville in southern Illinois. | COURTESY PHOTO

The bishop-designate spent his afternoon in Omaha visiting St. Cecilia Cathedral and the parish school, praying at the tomb of Servant of God Father Edward Flanagan and meeting college students at the St. John Paul II Newman Center in Omaha.

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