Cary Ordained as Bishop of Baker Diocese
The Catholic Diocese of Baker, based in Bend, officially has a new bishop, as Liam Cary was ordained Friday during a Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church.
Cary will oversee the diocese and act as something of a district manager for the church.
At the ceremony, hundreds of people packed into the church to watch history be made.
Clergy from across the diocese and they state were on hand to watch the ordination
Archbishop John Vlazny of the Portland Diocese oversaw Friday’s big event.
“Your call to life as chief shepherd of a flock here in Baker is no experiment,” said Vlazny. “It’s a divine quality, inviting you to open the door for Christ.”
Bishop Cary succeeds Robert Vasa, who is now the bishop of Santa Rosa, Calif.
Cary is no stranger to Central Oregon.
He was born in Portland but later moved to Prineville, where he grew up.
He entered Mount Angel Seminary in 1961, graduated from high school there in 1965 and from college in 1969.
Cary comes to Bend after 12 years at Sacred Heart Catholic church in Medford and a brief stint at St. Mary’s in Eugene.
Friday also marked a special day, which was heard several times throughout Mass: the celebration of Pope John Paul II’s birthday.
Vlazny told the congregation Friday was no coincidence, but a calling from God.
“Liam,” Vlazny said, “these birthday reflections from our late Holy Father will inspire you and sustain you throughout your ministry as bishop.”
Now the head of the diocese, Cary will lead more than 34,000 Catholics from Baker City to Bend, in hopes of inspiring even more people to join the Catholic Church.
