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August
8, 2005 
VOL.
43, NO. 14Oakland,
CA
Bishop Silva talks about his appointment to Honolulu
Prior to leaving Oakland for the Honolulu Diocese, Father Larry Silva took time to talk with The Voice about his episcopal appointment.
How did you learn that you were being appointed
bishop of Honolulu? What was your reaction?
On May 5, after discussing other diocesan business with Bishop Vigneron,
he said there was one more thing he wanted to discuss with me, something
that would probably change my whole life.
He told me that he had received a call from the Apostolic Nuncio that
morning, informing him that the Holy Father had selected me to be the
Bishop of Honolulu. Bishop Vigneron was to discuss the matter with me,
then have me call the Nuncio with my response.
I was shocked. Even though I had heard rumors that I might be considered
for this post, I did not put much stock in them. I felt honored, joyful,
and scared at the same time.
After discussing the matter with Bishop Vigneron for 10 or 15 minutes,
he had me call the Nuncio and tell him I accepted. The Nuncio asked me
to write a letter to the Holy Father, telling him that I accepted the
appointment and sharing my feelings about it with him.
The Nuncio would call me back a few days later to tell me when the official
announcement would be made. Meanwhile, I was to keep this matter strictly
confidential.
On May 9, he phoned me to inform me that the announcement date would be
May 17, and that I should be in Honolulu for it. I began to discretely
clear my calendar for that week, so that I could be free to spend the
time in Hawaii.
The whole experience was rather surreal, I must say, and it was particularly
difficult to keep such momentous news a secret.
What was the reaction of your family here and in Honolulu?
I asked my family to gather at my oldest brother’s house for dinner
the day before I left for Honolulu. When they were gathered together and
I told them the reason for the gathering, they were first relieved that
I was not bringing them bad news such as some terrible illness, then they
were very happy for me.
The day before the announcement I arrived in Honolulu and went to tell
the news to my 87-year-old aunt and uncle (Mabel and Lucius Neves). I
did not want them to hear the news on the radio or TV first.
My aunt was so shocked, she was sure I was lying and insisted I call my
brother to verify it for her! Then she was extremely happy. The next day
some reporters called and visited them, and their picture was in the newspaper
the following day.
Why do you think you were chosen for such an important ministry?
When a diocese needs a new bishop, such as Honolulu did because of the
transfer of Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo to the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia,
in May 2004, the Apostolic Nuncio investigates the needs of the diocese
and asks diocesan leaders for names of priests they think could be good
bishops (either in that diocese or elsewhere). I think some of my “friends”
sent my name in.
I suppose I was chosen because of my extensive pastoral ministry, my familiarity
with the chancery, and because of my roots in Hawaii. My great-grandparents
migrated to Hawaii from the island of Sao Miguel, Azores (Portugal) when
they were very young, so my family has been in Hawaii for over 125 years.
I was born there and visited there many times over the years, so my familiarity
with the island culture was probably a factor, too.
What does being a bishop mean to you?
I want to serve the people of Hawaii by preaching the gospel that Christ
is truly risen from the dead and is alive and active among us. I think
that is the primary responsibility of a bishop. Encouraging the priests,
deacons, religious and laity to live that faith more fully in their homes,
their workplaces, their neighborhoods and throughout the world will be
a key to my ministry as bishop.
You have traveled to Hawaii many times and given a priests’
retreat in Honolulu. What can you tell us about the diocese there?
The Diocese of Honolulu takes in the entire state of Hawaii. There are
66 parishes on six different islands. Everyone is aware of the natural
beauty of the islands, but there is a real beauty in the people, too.
There are many cultures that live together in the islands, and although
they are not without their tensions, because they have to live together
in a much smaller space, I think they have learned to appreciate and cooperate
with one another very well.
In 2000, they held a Diocesan Synod and outlined pastoral priorities for
the years to come. I look forward to working with all in the ongoing implementation
process.
How do you envision your role as a bishop?
I would see my own presence as a sign (sacrament) of Christ the Good Shepherd,
and I pray I will have the wisdom, love and courage to follow Christ’s
example in proclaiming the kingdom tirelessly, in caring for the poor
and the needy, and in encouraging others in the ministries that God has
entrusted to them.
What will be your first priorities when you assume leadership
of the diocese?
My first priority will be to get to know the priests, deacons, religious
and laity of the diocese. I am already scheduled for some visits on each
island. I want to listen to their concerns and try to build up the life
of the diocese along with them.
What do you see as the greatest challenges there?
The Diocese of Honolulu currently has only one seminarian, and I believe
there has only been one ordination to the priesthood in the past five
or six years. Encouraging all to foster vocations will be a great challenge,
but a necessary one. I want to be as supportive as I can of the priests,
who will be my closest co-workers.
How will your experiences as a pastor in the Oakland Diocese
help you pastor the diocese?
As a pastor, I have learned how to listen to people, to be discerning,
to cooperate with others in articulating a vision, and to put in place
the nitty-gritty structures that can make that vision happen. I am sure
these lessons will help me a great deal as the pastor of the diocese.
I have learned a great deal from the faith and dedication of the people,
and I look forward to growing in holiness and love with all the people
of the diocese.
How does the Honolulu Diocese compare to Oakland?
The island of Oahu is where Honolulu is located and where about 90 percent
of the population lives. It has many of the same urban challenges Oakland
has, but there are also many rural areas, both on Oahu but especially
on the neighbor islands.
Tourism is a huge reality in Hawaii, as is the military. As a major “stopover”
between Asia and North America, Hawaii has a much more Asian flavor than
even the West Coast, which certainly is blessed by the presence of many
Asian cultures.
What is most attractive about working in Hawaii?
Over the years I have visited Hawaii, I have come to love the people most
of all. By and large, they are a people who are filled with faith and
a simple appreciation of life and its beauty.
What does your Coat of Arms symbolize?
Father Quang Dong, the newly appointed rector of Oakland’s soon-to-be
Cathedral of Christ the Light, helped me design my Coat of Arms. Since
the name “Silva” means “forest,” there are three
trees: a kukui nut tree, whose oil was used for light and healing, symbolizing
Hawaii; an oak tree, symbolizing Oakland, where I spent most of my life;
and in the center the cross as the Tree of Life, with olive leaves, symbolizing
Our Lady of Peace, Patroness of the Diocese of Honolulu.
My episcopal motto will be “Witness to Jesus.” I am convinced
that our faith and our Church will be renewed to the extent that all our
programs, structures and institutions can be more focused on the fact
that Jesus Christ is not just a figure of past history, but is alive and
active among us now. I want to be his witness and encourage others to
witness to Him as well.
(The other half of Bishop Silva’s coat of arms
contains the symbols of the Honolulu Diocese. A cross, representing the
faith planted by the early missionaries, is white and blue to honor Mary,
the diocese’s patroness under the title Our Lady of Peace. The name
“Honolulu” means “peaceful harbor.”
The two white balls set on black standards are an ancient Hawaiian ceremonial
symbol indicating protection or place of refuge. The background is red,
the dominant color on Hawaii’s coat of arms and the order of the
colors from upper left to upper right is red, white and blue, the colors
of the Hawaii flag.
The cost of arms is topped with an old-fashioned green broad-rimmed bishop’s
hart, worn in processions until 1870, from which green tassles hang, six
on each side indicating a bishop. Archbishops have 10 tassels on each
side, cardinal 15. Behind the shield is a gold processional cross, one
cross bar indicating a bishop, two an archbishop.)
Can you tell us about your Episcopal ring and crozier?
My ring was actually given to me for my birthday in 1988 by my friend
Kevin Self. I had just introduced him to Mary Alice Sullivan, the second
grade teacher then at St. Anthony School in Oakland, where I was the pastor.
They married about a year later and now have three beautiful sons.
The ring originally belonged to Kevin’s father. Kevin and I became
friends after I helped him through the grief of his father’s untimely
death, so he gave me the ring as a sign of our friendship. With Kevin’s
permission, I am having the Coat of Arms engraved on the stone.
My crozier is being made by a woodworker in Hawaii. It will be a very
simple shepherd’s staff made of koa, a beautiful Hawaiian wood.
Will you be returning to your baptismal name of Clarence or will
you be Bishop Larry Silva?
On official documents, I will use my baptismal name, Clarence. However,
since most people know me as Larry, I think that will be the name I will
be known by most.
What will you remember most about your years of service in the
Oakland Diocese?
I will be blessed with many happy memories of faith-filled people and
of wonderful friends. I have served in many parishes and ministries, and
I have been enriched by all the people I have met, even in challenging
situations.
What message would you like to give to the people of the Oakland
Diocese as you leave your ministry among us?
I am full of gratitude for all that has been given to me by so many of
you. Bishop Vigneron, Bishop Cummins, the priests, the deacons and their
wives, the religious, and countless laity have shared their faith and
love with me.
This is where I grew up and dedicated myself to the Lord’s service,
so you will always have a special place in my heart. Let us maintain our
communion in the Lord through our prayers for one another.
Coat of Arms
Bishop Clarence (Larry) Silva
