Click here for a video of Bishop Hying during the press conference. (140 MB MP4 video file)
MADISON — “I’m very enthused, excited, and grateful to be here,” said Bishop-designate Donald J. Hying of Madison.
With many relatives in the Diocese of Madison and a lot of time spent here over the years, he added, “I feel very much at home, here,” saying “I have great memories of southwest Wisconsin. The beauty of the faith, here, the beauty of the land, here.”
At a press conference on April 25 at Holy Name Heights in Madison, Diocesan Administrator Msgr. James Bartylla introduced Bishop Hying as the fifth bishop of Madison.
Bishop Hying, who had been serving as the Bishop of Gary, Ind., since 2015, will fill the vacancy left following the death of Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison in November of 2018.
‘Enthusiasm and gratitude’
As the press conference, Bishop Hying said, “It is with great enthusiasm and gratitude that I come to you, today, as the new leader, the Bishop of Madison, to build on the great foundation of Bishop Morlino.”
He added, “Madison is a significant community because it is the capital of the state and the university, here. There’s a great significance to what happens in this city and in this diocese. I’m very grateful to be a part of it.”
Rejoicing in the Easter season, he said, “It really comes down to proclaiming Jesus, crucified and risen. So, today really isn’t about me. It’s always about the Lord. It’s always about what Jesus is doing for us.”
Truth and love
When asked about the diversity of opinions on issues in Madison, Bishop Hying said he will focus on a fusion of “love and truth.”
“Truth without love becomes harsh, rigid, judgmental,” he said “Love without truth becomes sentimental and kind of just devoid of content.”
He added, “When you fuse love and truth together, you have the firepower of the Gospel . . . The Church’s mission is always to speak the truth that God has revealed to us, but do so with love and compassion.”
He also reiterated the dignity and importance of everyone in the Church.
“Everyone from the pope to the newest baptized baby is of equal importance in the Church,” said Bishop Hying, while noting everyone has different roles, “no one is less important or more important.”
Looking ahead
Similar to what he did in the Gary Diocese, Bishop Hying said he wants to meet with every priest and deacon in the Diocese of Madison “to get to know them as people.”
He added he’d hope to visit every parish, school, and community in the next year.
“I would love to set that as an ambitious goal,” Bishop Hying said.
He had no definite position to share when asked about a new cathedral in the diocese, saying, “I am certainly open to suggestion and direction.”
Bishop Hying will be installed as Bishop of Madison on Tuesday, June 25, at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison.