Families, friends celebrate with new Rockville Centre auxiliaries

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CNS)

At a joy-filled liturgy rich in symbolic tradition, the Diocese of Rockville Centre's two newest auxiliary bishops were ordained at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre July 25. Introducing Bishops Nelson J. Perez and Robert J. Brennan, Bishop William F. Murphy, who heads the diocese, instructed the congregation to 'see in these two priests the successors of the first apostles.'

The cathedral was filled with members of the Perez and Brennan families, friends and co-workers, along with close to 200 priests and deacons from the Rockville Centre Diocese, where Bishop Brennan is vicar general and a pastor, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which is Bishop Perez's home archdiocese. At the altar with Bishop Murphy were co-consecrators, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop Paul H. Walsh of Rockville Centre; two cardinals and dozens of other bishops.

Following ancient tradition, Bishop Murphy laid his hands on his new auxiliaries' heads, conferring the power of the Holy Spirit. In a show of collegiality, each of the other bishops in attendance followed suit. Bishop Murphy also anointed each new bishop with holy oil and gave them the symbols of episcopal office -- the ring, miter and crosier. When this was finished, Bishop Murphy led the two new bishops to the chairs on either side of him, joining them with the other concelebrating bishops.

As they turned to face the congregation, Bishops Perez and Brennan were greeted with sustained applause. Both bishops made brief remarks, in English and Spanish, at the end of the Mass. Bishop Perez said he could sum up the feelings in his heart in one word -- 'gratitude.'