Wester installed bishop of Utah

Utah Catholics figuratively threw open the doors of their cathedral — and their hearts — Wednesday to welcome a new bishop for whom they've waited more than a year.

Hundreds of people packed the Cathedral of the Madeleine downtown to watch the pomp and pageantry that accompanied Bishop John Charles Wester's installment as the ninth bishop of Utah. At 1:30 p.m., the crowd fell silent, waiting to hear the new bishop's traditional knock on the large, wooden cathedral doors.

Three distinct knocks were heard, and the doors were opened to a new era of leadership for the Utah church by Monsignor Terrence Fitzgerald, who has administered the affairs of the diocese since last February, when then-Bishop George Niederauer was ordained as archbishop of San Francisco.

"Peace to all who are gathered here," came the singular voice, followed by the sound of the organ and a choir heralding the new bishop's entry.

Once welcomed inside, Bishop Wester smiled broadly as hundreds strained to get a first glimpse of their new shepherd. Smiling widely, he moved through the aisles of the historic church, nodding at guests as he sprinkled holy water into the crowd before following a procession of fellow bishops from around the country to his place behind the altar.

Archbishop Niederauer first took his seat on the bishop's throne, but after a pronouncement from a representative of the Vatican, he led Bishop Wester to his new seat as bishop to preside over the rest of the ceremony.

Reading a decree from Pope Benedict, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, formally released Bishop Wester from his former responsibilities in San Francisco and appointed him "Bishop of Salt Lake City, with all the rights and obligations" of the office. A standing ovation followed as the new bishop acknowledged the crowd.

He then greeted local religious and political leaders as the audience looked on, including Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson and the Rev. Mike Imperiale of First Presbyterian Church (which sits on the block east of the cathedral).

Other local dignitaries in attendance included President Thomas S. Monson of the LDS Church's First Presidency, industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr., Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert and the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.