⇒ From The Canton Repository ⇒
YOUNGSTOWN The Rev. David J. Bonnar, pledging his life Tuesday, Jan. 12, to serve as the sixth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, chose as the motto for his new coat of arms “That All May Be One.”
CAPTION: Bishop John Michael Botean with Romanian Catholic Church in Canton participates in the Jan. 12 ordination Mass of the Rev. David J. Bonnar as the sixth bishop of Youngstown at The Cathedral of St. Columba in Youngstown. PHOTOS BY JULIE VENNITTI BOTOS/CANTON REP
The invitation-only ordination Mass was held at the St. Columba Cathedral.
Bonner, a native of Pittsburgh, is now the spiritual shepherd of 160,000 Catholics in 84 parishes covering Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, and Trumbull counties.
The 58-year-old succeeds the late Bishop George V. Murry, who died on June 5.
Ordained in 1988, Bonnar is a graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He also earned a degree in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. After ordination, he served as a parochial vicar in three parishes, and as a chaplain at a Catholic high school. His first parish was in New Castle, Pa.
Prior to his ordination, he served as a deacon at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and as a team chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 12 years.
Bonnar also served the church in a variety of administrative roles, including director of vocations, director of a preordination program and episcopal vicar for clergy.
Bonnar was serving as a parish priest in Wexford, Pa. when he was elevated to bishop.
Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, read the official appointment letter from Pope Francis.
Fifteen bishops from Ohio and around the country participated in the service, including Bishop John Michael Botean, head of the Romanian Eparchy at St. George’s Cathedral in Canton.
The homily was delivered by Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh, under whom Bonnar served.
“Every bishop is called to be a father,” Zubik said.
“The first apostles were the first bishops. Jesus referred to God as father 48 times. He did so because he wanted the first bishops to have the same relationship, and to rely on God as he had … and so, dear David, the charge is given to you as it was to them.”
After vowing his faithfulness, the new bishop lie prostrate on the floor in prayer. He was anointed with oil, blessed by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati, who ordained him, and was presented with a Book of Gospels.
Afterward, Bonnar was greeted by each of his new brother bishops.
He also was presented with a bishop’s ring, a new miter, and a bishop’s staff by three of his siblings and two nephews and a niece.
As bishop, Bonnar has a new coat of arms. One side representing the diocese and the Youngstown community, and the other side featuring items representing his personal faith journey and his motto, “That All May Be One.”
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