By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO
Archbishop Thomas Wenski remembers Miami's second archbishop, Edward McCarthy, during a Mass at St. Martha Church, next door to the Pastoral Center, April 10, which would have been the late archbishop's 100th birthday.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily during a Mass April 10, 2018, at St. Martha Church, to mark what would have been the 100th birthday of Archbishop Edward McCarthy, Miami’s second archbishop. Archbishop McCarthy served as Miami’s chief shepherd from July 26, 1977 until his retirement at age 75 and the appointment of his successor Nov. 3, 1994. He died June 7, 2005 at the age of 87.
This year we celebrate 60 years since the establishment of the diocese of Miami, 50 years since Miami became an archdiocese. Since then there have been only four archbishops: Today, it is fitting then, that you join me � the fourth Archbishop of Miami � to pray for Miami’s second archbishop on what would have been his 100th birthday.
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO
Mary Ross Agosta, left, director of communications, and Edie Fallon, claims supervisor for the Health Plan, take up the offertory. They are among the archdiocesan employees who worked under Archbishop Edward McCarthy.
God gave him a fruitful ministry as bishop. I like to say that there are three types of bishops: bishops of charity, bishops of hope and bishops of faith. Archbishop McCarthy, like myself, was all three: a bishop of charity, i.e. an ordinary, because as ordinaries bishops live off the charity of God’s people; a bishop of hope, because coadjutors are bishops of hope for obvious reasons; and a bishop of faith, that is the auxiliaries, who have to have faith to believe that they are really bishops.
Archbishop McCarthy served first as an auxiliary in Cincinnati, later as founding bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, then in 1976, he came to Miami as coadjutor archbishop succeeding Archbishop Coleman Carroll on his death, July 26, 1977.
There is a long list of his accomplishments: first Archdiocesan Synod, papal visit, establishment of permanent deacon program, opening of offices for family life and lay miniseries, outreach to the Haitians and people living with AIDS, Radio Paz, the sister diocese relationship with Port-de-Paix, etc. He accomplished much � because he had good help: people like Bishop [Agustin] Roman and Msgr. Bryan Walsh, and people like yourselves. In fact, some of you worked with him � and for him. Msgr. [Pablo] Navarro was his priest secretary, Ana Rodriguez-Soto covered him in the pages of the Florida Catholic (and he baptized her kids), Mary Ross Agosta was hired by him as communications director (now that seems like a hundred years ago.)
Without your support, your prayers, your collaboration and that of God’s people, bishops would be generals without armies. Archbishop McCarthy was keenly aware of this � and he addressed every letter to his “dearly beloved” and signed every one “devotedly yours.” He had a passion for evangelization and as one of the younger bishops to attend part of the Second Vatican Council he sought to implement the council in our parishes and in the archdiocesan structures. If you attended one of his confirmations � and Msgr. Navarro attended many � you will remember him speaking about FP&L � not Florida Power and Light but Faith, Prayer and Love.
The Scriptures today � and throughout the Easter Season � also turn our focus on faith, prayer and love. Jesus speaks of the Son of Man being lifted up, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert so that the people could be healed. Through FP&L, faith, prayer and love, we will find the power that overcomes the evil one, our own sins and even death itself. FP&L reminds us to focus on Jesus who is lifted up, both on the cross and in the glory of the Resurrection.
Archbishop McCarthy wrote many letters, many columns at 30,000 feet � while flying back to Miami from meeting in Washington or elsewhere. Today, we trust that he is much higher than 30,000 feet � and that while he does not write us we can be pretty sure that he is praying for us, his “beloved” people and archdiocese; for while he lived among us and ministered to us, he “preached what he believed and believed what he preached.”
Eternal Rest Grant to him, O Lord. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO
Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrates Mass in memory of Archbishop Edward McCarthy alongside, from left, Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado, Msgr. Chanel Jeanty, archdiocesan chancellor, Father Michael Davis, pastor of Little Flower in Coral Gables, and Father Elvis Gonzalez, director of Vocations. Hidden from view are Deacon Edgardo Farias, director of Detention Ministry, Msgr. Roberto Garza, director of Radio Paz 830 AM, and Father Richard Vigoa, archbishop's secretary and master of ceremonies.
