Cardinal Adam J. Maida, former archbishop of Detroit, smiles as he embraces Bishop Gerard W. Battersby during the ordination Mass for Bishops Battersby and Robert J. Fisher on Jan. 25. Cardinal Maida praised the selection of both men, with whom he worked closely as archbishop, fondly recalling them as “men of deep faith.” (Larry Peplin | Special to The Michigan Catholic)As priests, both Bishops Gerard Battersby and Robert Fisher “were very supportive of my episcopal ministry of service to God’s people in Detroit,” Cardinal Maida told The Michigan Catholic in an interview. “Both inspired me as men of deep faith which was nurtured by a close relationship with Jesus as experienced in a rich prayer life.”
Because of their deep faith, both men were highly respected by their peers and effective communicators of the love of God, and should continue to be so as bishops, Cardinal Maida said.
Cardinal Maida recalled how, as director of priestly vocations from 1995-2000, Bishop Fisher lived with him at the episcopal residence.
“He was very kind and approachable; he was easy to be with; he was conversant with the problems of the day and had a very sympathetic ear and could communicate easily with young people and sympathetically listen to their problems,” Cardinal Maida said. “He easily reflected the image of a holy and happy priest who was proud to be God’s spokesman in service of God’s people.”
The cardinal added Bishop Fisher was a “very effective” vocations director, and was equally up to the task of shepherding several large parishes as his ministry expanded.
Cardinal Maida remembered Bishop Battersby in similarly fond terms, calling him “a very humble and holy priest” who exercised his ministry “quietly, yet very effectively.”
“He was a very good listener, not overly judgmental, yet very firm in teaching and living the Gospel message of the Lord,” Cardinal Maida said. “It was obvious that he would be a very positive addition to the faculty of Sacred Heart Seminary and would be an authentic model for the seminarians.”
To confirm his intuition about Bishop Battersby, the cardinal recalled naming him as temporary administrator of Detroit’s St. Leo Parish, an inner-city parish ministering to those acutely facing the pressures of a down economy.
In that role, Bishop Battersby “listened to the people, and he was very sympathetic to their concerns both spiritual and otherwise,” Cardinal Maida said.
“As a newly ordained bishop, he is well prepared to take this experience beyond the boundaries of the parish as he assumes various responsibilities in service of a larger constituency in the Archdiocese of Detroit,” the cardinal said.
In the wake of Synod 16 and the pressures of the New Evangelization, Cardinal Maida expressed confidence that both Bishop Battersby and Bishop Fisher are well-suited to their task ahead.
“Under the leadership of Archbishop Vigneron, our two new auxiliaries are great gifts from God to assume the successful and vibrant follow-up of the great spiritual vision for the Archdiocese of Detroit,” Cardinal Maida said. “Both bishops have been strong and effective supporters of this spiritual work. With their help and leadership, all our efforts will bear a rich harvest for the present and the future of the Church.”
Related stories
For more stories about the ordination and background of the Archdiocese of Detroit's new auxiliary bishops, Bishop Robert Fisher and Bishop Gerard Battersby, check out The Michigan Catholic's special section.
