Bishop Edward J. Burns shows his mother, Geraldine Burns, the papal bull, a decree from Pope Francis declaring him the Bishop of Dallas, during his installation Mass on Feb. 9 at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. (BEN TORRES/Special Contributor)
To our Venerable Brother, Edward James Burns, until now Ordinary of the Diocese of Juneau, appointed Bishop of Dallas, greetings and Apostolic Blessing.
“In His gracious goodness, God has seen to it that what He had revealed for the salvation of all nations would abide perpetually in its full integrity and be handed on to all generations.” (Dei verbum, 7) As We reflect upon these words of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, We, in Our exercise of the important Office of Successor of Peter, diligently try to proclaim the truth about the saving work of Jesus Christ to all men and women of good will. For, indeed, in Our earnest desire to nurture the good of all the faithful and to attend carefully to their spiritual situation, We wish to provide at this time a new Shepherd for the Church in Dallas, since its former Ordinary, Our Venerable Brother Kevin Joseph Farrell, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, has relinquished its governance, owing to his current appointment by Us as Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life.
In looking for someone who is pastorally experienced, We turned Our thoughts to you, Venerable Brother, who, in Our judgment, are suitable for undertaking this Office, both because of your human, spiritual and intellectual gifts as well as the priestly-episcopal ministry you have fulfilled in the areas of pastoral care, Catholic education, priestly-religious vocations and administration.
Therefore, upon consultation with the Congregation of Bishops, by Our Apostolic authority, We release you from the bond of the Diocese of Juneau, and We appoint you Bishop of Dallas, conferring upon you the due rights and imposing the relative obligations, which are connected with this mandate. In addition, We also direct Our attention to the clergy and all Christ’s faithful in this Diocese, exhorting them that, having been informed about this Our Decree, in their daily and careful observance of the divine precepts, they may be able to pursue diligently the path to holiness, with you as their guide.
Finally, Venerable Brother, earnestly beseech the Holy Spirit to fill the heart and soul of all the faithful entrusted to your pastoral care, together with the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with joy and peace.
Given at Rome, St. Peter’s, on the thirteenth day of the month of December, in the year of the Lord two thousand sixteen, the fourth of Our Pontificate.
— Francis
