From the Ceremonies Circuit

So, finally, it's been announced: Bishop-elect Frank DeWane will be ordained as coadjutor of Venice in Florida on 25 July.

The former undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, DeWane was named to his new post on (ironically enough) St Mark's Day, 25 April. He'll succeed Bishop John Nevins, who reaches the canonical age of retirement in January, '07. (And, by the by, you'll note that a successor to DeWane has not been named....)

Don't be surprised if the attendant Roman brigade, fleeing the Urb a week before the usual August exodus, hops on northward planes to make the following day's ordination of Bishop-elect Daniel Thomas. Our town's auxiliary-to-be, who turned 47 last week, served as a staffer at the Congregation for Bishops from 1990 to 2005 whilst living and spiritual directing at the Pontifical North American College.

In an interview with the archdiocesan paper The Catholic Standard & Times, the bishop-elect spoke well to the ecclesiology of his hometown, which has guided several generations of clergy, and at least one unworthy scribe:

“When I went to Rome, one of the first priests I met greeted me, and we spoke,” he said. “After a very brief while, he said to me, ‘You know, some students, when they go home [to their dioceses] get accused of having become Roman, but you came as a Roman.’"

That's the most accurate depiction of the Philadelphia church culture I've ever heard. Ever.

If you know a thing or two about the aforementioned, you know the natives are more than ready to roll out the red carpet and set up the spotlights, so the more, the merrier, as always. Not to mention this town has quite the wide reputation for throwing damn good ecclesiastical parties. And rightfully so.

Last I heard, token wagers were being taken among the locals as to who Thomas' co-consecrators would be.

And, no, you won't hear here who the smart money's on.

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