Bishop Wester — He's described as a 'hands-on extrovert'

When Archbishop (George) Niederauer came here, we owed Salt Lake City. But Bishop (John) Wester fully extinguishes that debt. We got a good man, and you're getting a good man. — Monsignor Robert McElroy, San Mateo, Calif.

SAN FRANCISCO — Used to living simply in one room with his bed and books inside an urban rectory, the idea of three bedrooms and two baths is almost more than Bishop John Wester can fathom.

After a tour of his new address on Salt Lake City's east side recently, he employed what friends say is his characteristic sense of humor, along with a wide smile: "Well, I'm not sure it's quite large enough."

Wester, 56, will be installed Wednesday as Utah's new Catholic bishop and knows he will soon find himself surrounded by more open space than he's ever known — both physically and emotionally, at least in the beginning. Coming from the only place he's ever lived, the bishop is leaving his heart in the frenetic pace of San Francisco.

But those who know him best say his affections will catch up with him quickly, as he embraces not only the wide open spaces he's heard so much about, but hundreds of thousands of Catholics here who've been waiting more than a year for a new shepherd.

"His world has been the Bay Area," said Sister Glenn Ann McPhee, chancellor of Oakland and a longtime friend. "It's going to be really hard for him to leave home, but in terms of embracing Salt Lake City, it will be like everything else in his life — with arms open and with joy."

That kind of embrace is built into his DNA, according to Sister Rosemary Everett, a colleague of 28 years and one of many friends coming to Utah for his installation. "He doesn't know what it is to be bored. He has so many interests. He'll find out all he can about Utah."

In fact, he's been doing just that. Wester told the Deseret Morning News he's been reading travel books and looks forward to enjoying the outdoors during his long drives to distant parishes throughout the Beehive State. "I know I have about 85,000 square miles to cover," with 48 widespread parishes.

"I think it's going to be a hiker's paradise, with all the different national parks. I'm looking forward to exploring if I get some free time."

Hands-on extrovert