Archbishop builds on archdiocese’s 150-year legacy

Although he gives credit to those who worked with him, Archbishop Brunett’s leadership helped the church grow, respond to challenges over more than 10 years

When he was installed as Archbishop of Seattle on Dec. 18, 1997, Archbishop Alex J. Brunett inherited a five-year plan developed by his immediate predecessor, the late Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy, who died June 26, 1997 at the age of 64 after a battle with cancer.  He also inherited the lasting legacy left by all seven previous bishops and three archbishops who preceded him as the Archdiocese of Seattle approached its sesquicentennial year.

In 2001 Archbishop Brunett appointed a new Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and initiated a series of listening sessions and dialogues to launch his five-year plan, “A Future Full of Hope: Priorities and Goals for the years 2004-2009.”   The vision statement and plan would, in many ways, summarize his five decades of priesthood. 

Two theological concepts – communio and Encuentro – were the guiding principles for the plan.  They also provided insights into the character of the priest who had been selected to lead the geographically, economically and culturally diverse archdiocese. 

“Communio theology comes out of Vatican II.  It is a theology that talks about unity, and that ultimately we find our unity in communion with Christ,” Archbishop Brunett said.  “Encuentro comes out of the Synod of the Americas when Pope John Paul II made the point that our encounter with Christ in the encounter with cultures, ideas and thoughts forge ways forward, and as you go forward you gather more and more people in the process.”

“A Future Full of Hope” gave expression to Archbishop Brunett’s desire to unify the people of the Archdiocese of Seattle through their encounter with Christ.  His enormous energy and determination combined with the gifts of the people he served animated the document and transformed the words into action.

Enhancements to Catholic Education were among the plan’s most notable achievements, including creation of a $40-million endowment fund, creation of a new religious education curriculum and the opening of numerous schools.  Always aware that the church must place itself at the service of the poor and vulnerable, Archbishop Brunett also provided a vision for the expansion of Catholic charitable programs, already the largest nongovernmental social service agency in the state of Washington.

The local church also had to expand and enhance its ministries to accommodate growth and meet new challenges.  The rate of growth for the general population in the Archdiocese of Seattle was 15 percent from 1999 through 2007, increasing from approximately 4.4 million to more than 5 million people. 

During the same period, the rate of growth for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Seattle has nearly matched that of the general population, growing by approximately 14 percent. 

Archbishop Brunett led a coalition of ecumenical leaders in 2001 that successfully challenged rules that restricted religious liberty by severely limiting the church’s ability to establish parishes and build schools and churches to serve fast-growing suburban areas. He subsequently established three new parishes in 2004 in suburban King and Snohomish Counties.
 
The tangible signs of growth and vitality in the archdiocese are especially noteworthy because they occurred despite a faltering economy and the shadow of scandal.  With the vision and hope that have become his hallmark during 50 years of priesthood, Archbishop Brunett met these challenges energetically and with “the heart of a pastor,” as his friend and colleague Bishop George Thomas of the Diocese of Helena said. 

His approach to the abuse scandal was characterized by transparency, a compassionate pastoral response to victims, responsible stewardship and open communication with Catholics and non-Catholics alike.  At the same time, the number of men discerning vocations to priesthood and entering seminary actually increased.  A total of 38 men were ordained to priesthood for the Archdiocese of Seattle from 1997 through June 2008. 

Highlights of activities and accomplishments since Archbishop Brunett’s arrival include:

1997
Pope John Paul II appoints the Most Rev. Alexander J. Brunett, Bishop of the Diocese of Helena, Montana, Archbishop of Seattle on October 28.  Archbishop Brunett is installed as Archbishop of Seattle on December 18.

Pope John Paul II presents Archbishop Brunett with the pallium on June 29, 1998, a white cloth symbolizing unity with the Apostolic See.

1998
Archbishop Brunett received the Pallium symbolizing his unique role as Metropolitan for the Ecclesial Province of Washington from Pope John Paul II on the Feast of St. Peter and Paul June 29. 

A new program of deacon formation is developed.  

Archbishop Brunett blesses La Casa de Padre Miguel in Mount Vernon, the Archdiocesan Housing Authority’s first of eight affordable farm worker-family housing projects opened since his installation.

Regional discussions begin on a Columbia River pastoral letter among the bishops of the Columbia River Watershed.

1999
The Office of Catholic Faith Formation is established.

Archbishop Brunett revitalizes the $25 million 150th Anniversary Gift of Faith Campaign initiated by Archbishop Thomas Murphy.

Pope John Paul II appoints the Rev. George Thomas auxiliary bishop of Seattle. 
   
2000
The 150th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Seattle is celebrated.

Palisades Retreat House and Faith Formation Center is purchased from the Redemptorist Fathers.

St. Nicholas Catholic elementary school (K-8) in Gig Harbor opens.

Holy Redeemer Parish, Vancouver is established.

2001
The Newman Center at the University of Washington dedicates its new building.

An Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (APC) is convoked by Archbishop Brunett to discern and recommend a five-year plan for the Archdiocese.

A model for leadership for Native American ministry, the archdiocesan Native American Advisory Circle, is developed. 

2002
Palisades Retreat House and Faith Formation Center’s $7-million renovation and expansion is completed.

The Fulcrum Foundation is incorporated as a local 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation with the mission of creating a $40-million endowment to support Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

2003
Twenty-six men are ordained and assigned to parish ministry from the first class of permanent deacons in ten years, and a second class of 31 candidates is chosen from among 125 applicants.

A Lay Ecclesial Ministry Study Report is published.  The report outlines efforts toward integrating lay ministry in the Archdiocese.

2004
Archbishop Brunett publishes and promulgates the five-year vision statement A Future Full of Hope:  Vision, Priorities, and Goals for the Archdiocese of Seattle, 2004-2009.

A Blue Ribbon Finance Committee is instituted to address critical areas of concern including funding for seminarian education, retired-priests medical costs and the medical and pension plans for incardinated priests.

St. Cecilia Catholic elementary school (K-4) on Bainbridge Island opens.

The Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry is established

The month of May 2005 saw Archbishop Brunett celebrate the appointment of his two new auxiliaries, Bishop Joseph Tyson, left, and Bishop Eusebio Elizondo.

2005
A new elementary-school religion curriculum is introduced for Catholic schools.

St. Madeleine Sophie Catholic elementary school (PK-8) in Bellevue opens.

The Rev. Joseph Tyson and the Rev. Eusebio Elizondo MSpS, are appointed Auxiliary Bishops of Seattle by Pope Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Brunett appoints Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo Episcopal Vicar for Hispanic Ministry.  A Summit for Hispanic Ministry is convoked to develop a plan for integrating Hispanic ministry in the Archdiocese.

The Merrick Building is purchased through a generous gift and the sale of surplus property. The six-story office building is located adjacent to St. James Cathedral allowing for consolidation of archdiocesan offices and programs.

Gonzaga University President Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., right, presents the archbishop with his honorary doctorate in a 2006 ceremony.

2006
A building is purchased and becomes the new home of the Western Washington University Newman Center.

The Archdiocese of Seattle celebrates 150 years of Catholic schools.

Archbishop Brunett receives an honorary doctorate degree from Gonzaga University recognizing almost 40 years of leadership in the area of ecumenical and interfaith dialogue.
 
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School in Ridgefield is established.

2007
The comprehensive archdiocesan policy document, Many Gifts, One Spirit: Sacramental and Pastoral Ministry Policies is published and promulgated after three years of consultation and development.

The Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry, From Guests to Hosts, Pastoral Priorities for the Ecclesial Integration of Hispanics, is promulgated during the second archdiocesan summit on Hispanic ministry.

A Catholic school study is launched to provide a strategic vision and plan for Catholic schools in the 21st century.

Pope John Paul II high school in the South Sound region of the archdiocese is established.