Most Rev. Robert G. Casey Installed as Archbishop, Officially MTSM Chancellor

Rev. Jason A. Williams (left), the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Master of Ceremonies to the Archbishop and 2016 MTSM graduate, with The Most Rev. Robert G. Casey outside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains during his installation Mass on Thursday (Photo by The Catholic Telegraph)

At the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 2, The Most Rev. Robert G. Casey was officially installed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cincinnati. Upon his installation, Archbishop Casey officially became the Chancellor of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology and chairman of the MTSM Board of Trustees. To see the full listing of the MTSM Board of Trustees, click here.

“As I have embraced my calling, first as a diocesan priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago, I have had to learn how to breathe,” Archbishop Casey said during his Installation Mass homily. “For 31 years, I have been humbled and grateful for the gift of my priesthood and the generosity of Christ. I find myself once again humble and grateful to answer the call of Pope Francis to serve as shepherd of this local church in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.”

Rev. Mr. Adam Lewis (left) assists Archbishop Robert G. Casey at the Solemn Vespers on the Eve of his installation as Archbishop of Cincinnati

The Installation Mass concluded two days of events. The evening prior, a Solemn Vespers was hosted at St. Francis Xavier Church in Cincinnati with a reception following for attendees to meet the new Archbishop. After the Mass of Installation, another reception was held celebrating the new era for the Archdiocese and its Archbishop.

The Mass of installation featured many distinguished guests, led by His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, and His Eminence Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago and under whom Archbishop Casey learned from and worked with while Auxiliary Bishop in Chicago. There were over 30 other Archbishops and Bishops in attendance for the installation, including fellow MTSM Board of Trustees members The Most Rev. Earl K. Fernandes, Bishop of Columbus (and 2002 MTSM graduate), and The Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of Toledo. The Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon, Bishop Emeritus for the Diocese of Joliet and a 1975 graduate of MTSM, was also in attendance.

Among the concelebrating priests were more than 100 MTSM graduates, the entirety of the MTSM priest faculty and dozens of deacons who completed their formation in the permeant diaconate program at MTSM. Rev. Mr. Kevin LeMelle served as one of the Deacons of the Mass, with many MTSM seminarians serving in various roles at Liturgical Ministers. Dr. Mary Catherine Levri, MTSM’s Director of Music, was part of the Cathedral Basilica Choir who provided music for the service.