Over at Jesus Goes to Disney World, Fr. Austin Murphy has the scoop on the soon-to-be bishop of Wilmington — who, it turns out, just happens to be a cousin of his:

As has been anticipated, the Holy Father today has appointed one of our auxiliary bishops of Baltimore as the 9th Bishop of Wilmington, DE. Fran Malooly has served as a priest and bishop here for 38 years, and in the course of those years he has shown not only competence but, most important, a joy for his priestly ministry. Fran also happens to be my father’s first cousin, so our family has been blessed by his presence and priesthood as well…

…About 10 years ago, at an aunt’s house, Fran told me (a new seminarian at the time), “I have spent as long in administration as I have in parish/pastoral work.” When I asked if he missed parish work he did not hesitate to tell me, “Yes.” He told me that he really enjoyed when the pastor of his residential parish was away; he liked to “play pastor.” Sometimes, he will mow the lawn of the rectory. On his last ad limina visit to Rome, we were having lunch at the North American College. He told me that he didn’t want to study in Rome because he didn’t want to get stuck in administration. Looking at the chain of his pectoral cross, I patted him on the back and said, sarcastically, “Well, done!”

All kidding aside, this is a great gift, not only for the people and priests of Wilmington, but for Bishop Fran as well. Yes, a bishop is an administrator, but above all he is a pastor.

Amen. And congratulations and blessings to one and all.