Maine man installed bishop of Conn.’s Norwich diocese

NORWICH, Conn. – The diocese of Norwich started a new chapter in its 50-year history Wednesday with the installation of the Most Rev. Michael Cote as bishop.

Amid much pageantry and before more than 1,200 people at St. Patrick Cathedral, Cote became the fifth bishop of the large eastern Connecticut diocese, which encompasses New London, Windham, Middlesex and Tolland counties and Fishers Island, N.Y.

The 53-year-old native of Sanford, Maine, will preside over the diocese’s 227,000 Roman Catholics. He brought a message of hope and optimism as the church moves forward from what has been a tumultuous year.

The diocese, like many in the country, faced allegations of sexual abuse by priests. American bishops adopted a policy last summer that removes abusive priests from church work and requires church leaders to report allegations of abuse to police.

“It’s been very difficult for everyone involved. It’s not been the greatest moment in our history,” Cote said. “But I’m convinced the church will be made better for all of this struggle. The church will survive. The issue has been very well addressed here.”

Cote, the former auxiliary bishop of Portland, Maine, succeeds the Most Rev. Daniel Hart, who retired in March when he turned 75.

Sacred music of strings, brass and a bell choir filled the cavernous cathedral. With a golden staff in hand, Cote took his ceremonial place at the head of the altar in an ornate chair, called the cathedra.

Archbishop Daniel Cronin of Hartford installed Cote during the 90-minute ceremony, which was attended by 140 priests and 42 bishops including Bridgeport Bishop William Lori and his predecessor, Cardinal Edward Egan of New York.

Cronin said the diocese will benefit from Cote’s relative youth, calling him “young, talented and energetic.”

“When a person is in his early 50s, he functions extremely energetically and efficiently as a bishop,” Cronin said. “This man has a great background.”