OC CATHOLIC - NOVEMBER 7, 2021

BISHOP VANN’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL ISSUE NOVEMBER 7, 2021

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE n OCCATHOLIC.COM

LOOKING BACK ON 40 YEARS PAGE 6

BISHOP KEVIN VANN MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION AND HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

NOVEMBER 7, 2021

CONTENTS

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A ‘REAL HEART FOR THE NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE’

Bishop Kevin Vann has served his flock faithfully and left lasting impressions among friends.

PLUS

Guest Column, Weekly Readings, Bishop Vann’s Coat of Arms

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT The Orange County Catholic Newspaper seeks to illuminate and animate the journey of faith for Catholics within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange – building solidarity among the faithful and inviting a deeper understanding and involvement in the mission of Christ – through the timely sharing of news, commentary and feature content in an engaging, accessible and compelling format.

ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC

The Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove 92840 Publisher: The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange Executive Editor: Tracey Kincaid, tkincaid@rcbo.org Editor: Patricia Mahoney, editor@occatholic.com News Ideas: storyideas@rcbo.org Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com

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GUEST COLUMN

A FRIENDSHIP SPANNING DECADES MSGR. MIKE HEHER PASTOR OF ST. ANNE’S SEAL BEACH

I

’VE KNOWN BISHOP KEVIN for many years. We met in Rome at the Casa Santa Maria in 1983. That year a new Code of Canon Law was promulgated, reflecting the values and changes that took place at Vatican II. I was sent to study theology but, due to the new code, the Casa was packed cheek to jowl with priests sent by their bishops to be experts in the new code (secretly we theologians felt a bit superior to the young canonists; theology was considered the “Queen of the Sciences” while they were just trying to learn how to be lawyers).

As the years passed, I learned quite a bit about canon law from these students. There were so many of them in our house, there were times when I felt we talked at table of nothing else.

Fr. Kevin W. Vann was one of those canonists, but he had none of the rigidity or infallibility

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of some of them. When he talked at table or at cocktails in the salon, he always was telling me about his family and what had gone on in the parish he had served in before coming to Rome.

Then as now, he was filled with a tremendous energy. Whatever he did he did it with both feet forward. Even these days when a person our age should be slowing down a bit, he’s going on all over the place, often exhausting his poor secretary. At the Council of Priests meetings, he reports about what he did in this parish and that, who he met at what meeting and how he was helping this parish or that school with the goals they have set for themselves. I find it a little exhausting trying to follow his extensive activities.

This is due to his pastoral focus. The church is not just what goes on at the chancery office or the bishops’ conference. The church is in every parish and school in the heart of each believer. And he wants to meet them all.

Congratulations on 40 years! C

O C C AT H O L I C n N O V E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

The Diocese of Orange, through OC Catholic newspaper, presents local, national and world news about the Catholic Church. Our intention is to give our readers access to a variety of perspectives in order to help them to process the information within the framework of our Catholic faith, but also to better understand the perspectives of those with opposing viewpoints.

We hope that ultimately our readers will be better equipped to have constructive conversations that further the growth of the Catholic Church.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

“

THE POOR

A

S CHRISTIANS WE HEAR a lot about the witness and service that we are called to render to the poor among us. However, the poor also have a witness and a service to render to us.

Like the actions of the widow in today’s Gospel, the openness and generosity of many of those who are poor, even in the midst of their own poverty, bear witness to the fact that, ultimately, we can depend only on God. Giving one’s all witnesses that God will give all to anyone who trusts in divine goodness.

The poor or disadvantaged also serve. They serve judgment on our individual and corporate ways of acting.

If people are sleeping in our streets, that is a judgment on our priorities regarding others. At the same time, the poor can act as mediators of salvation. When they care for others they can redeem our indifference and insensibility, lead us to care as well, and save us from ourselves.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

Let’s not be afraid to be truthful, to speak the truth, to hear the truth.

- Pope Francis

” ENGELBERT

SAINT PROFILE

C. 1186-1225

A

S A CHILD, ENGELBERT received several endowed church offices through family influence, then was named archbishop of Cologne (Germany) in 1217.

Though involved mostly with secular matters, he also was known for generosity to the poor and fairness in disputes. His sainthood came through martyrdom. When Engelbert demanded that his cousin Frederick make restitution to nuns in Essen for stealing their property and abusing his administrative trust, Frederick and other nobles assassinated him. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

WIS 1:1-7; PS 139:1B-10; LK 17:1-6

EZ 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; PS 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 COR 3:9C-11, 1617; JN 2:13-22

WIS 6:1-11; PS 82:3-4, 6-7; LK 17:11-19

WIS 7:22B — 8:1; PS 119:89-91, 130, 135, 175; LK 17:20-25

WIS 13:1-9; PS 19:2-5AB; LK 17:26-37

WIS 18:14-16; 19:6-9; PS 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43; LK 18:1-8

DN 12:1-3; PS 16:5, 8-11; HEB 10:11-14, 18; MK 13:24-32

N O V E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1 n O C C AT H O L I C

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FEATURE

REFLECTION: LOOKING BACK ON 40 YEARS

BY PATRICIA MAHONEY

I

T HAS BEEN 40 YEARS since Bishop Kevin W. Vann was ordained a priest.

The date was May 30, 1981 and four decades later the current religious leader of the Diocese of Orange remembers that time quite clearly.

“I lost my voice the day before,” recalled Bishop Vann.

He was at home in Springfield, Illinois and it was hot. At the time he didn’t have an air conditioner, so he slept in front of large fans which he thinks were the culprits.

He also recounts driving himself to his ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a route that was very familiar.

“I’d driven by the cathedral hundreds of times, but this time I was driving up there and there’s a bell tower in the cathedral and I thought, ‘Jeepers, it’s going to be different today because I’m going to be a priest.’”

Bishop Vann didn’t always know he would one day enter the priesthood.

The oldest of six children – five boys and one girl - he grew up in a solidKEVIN VANN IS PICTURED WITH HIS PARENTS THERESA AND WILLIAM VANN AT CHRISTMAS, 1951. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE ly Catholic household. His mother Theresa worked as a maternity nurse at a nearby Catholic hospital and held a special devotion to the Blessed Mother.

His father William was a convert, being inspired to join the Catholic Church because of the example his wife had set for him.

The family attended Mass together and prayed the Rosary regularly. Bishop Vann attended Catholic school and was influenced by his aunt who was a sister.

“We were around nuns a lot,” he said. “And the priests were really good -- a couple of them especially made me think about this life, this vocation.”

Bishop attended Springfield’s St. Agnes Grade and Griffin High schools.

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KEVIN VANN (TOP LEFT) WITH HIS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CLASS, 1973.

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

He studied at Springfield College and in 1974 he received a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.

After graduation, Bishop Vann worked as a medical technologist for three years at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield – the same hospital where his mom Theresa had cared for mothers and babies.

Being around the sick and the dying, Bishop Vann said he began to seriously consider another life path for himself.

He eventually decided to leave his job and enter the seminary in 1976.

Five years later he was ordained.

“Your call gets tested all the way along,” he said, looking back on his time in the seminary.

The very day he was ordained was the day he knew for sure that being a priest was his true calling.

He went on to receive his diploma in Latin Letters from Pontifical Gregorian University in 1984 and his canon law degree from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 1985.

“I enjoyed my years in Rome,” said Bishop, where he learned to speak the Italian language.

Upon returning to the Diocese of Springfield, then-Father Vann was involved in the work of the Diocesan Tribunal and the Tribunal of Second Instance in Chicago. He served as pastor of parishes ranging in size from 35 to 1,300 families, two of which had schools.

Having been educated within the Catholic school system, Bishop Vann believes Catholic education profoundly influences its students.

“If you ask anyone who went to a Catholic school, they will say who they are, their convictions and their faith, were pretty much formed by their Catholic school education.”

Bishop Vann enjoys working with students and during his nine years as Bishop of Orange he has made guest appearances in several high school the-

FATHER KEVIN VANN AT HIS PRIEST ORDINATION, MAY 30, 1981.

atrical productions within the Diocese.

Prior to being named bishop, he taught canon law at his alma mater Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis and held many parish appointments including pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield. He also served as vicar for priests and was the diocesan contact for the Hispanic Ministry.

Fluent in Spanish [he also continues to learn Vietnamese], he first learned the language as a parish priest so he could work with the Mexican immigrants who lived nearby. One time, he was dining at a Mexican restaurant in Illinois when workers approached him and asked if there were any Spanish Masses they could attend.

Since there were no Spanish Masses to speak of, Bishop Vann started going CONTINUES ON PAGE 8

KEVIN VANN (TOP LEFT) IS PICTURED WITH HIS FAMILY CIRCA 1976: PARENTS THERESA AND WILLIAM VANN AND SIBLINGS DAVID, DENNIS, JERRY, LES, MARY THERESE. N O V E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1 n O C C AT H O L I C

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FEATURE

FATHER KEVIN VANN GREETS MOTHER TERESA, 1982.

FATHER KEVIN VANN AT HIS PRIEST ORDINATION, MAY 30, 1981.

through the Texas Catholic Conference to the restaurant on Sunday nights after and Region X. He is the former Texas it closed to say Mass in Spanish.

Bishops’ Liaison to the Texas Mission “I’ve been very grateful for every Council and Texas Catholic hospitals. appointment I’ve had,” he said. “Several He was known for his dynamic leaderof my assignments I didn’t really want ship and personable, down-to-earth nato go, but I’m glad I did.” ture, not to mention his cowboy boots.

He says that being invited into people’s lives as a parish priest in all kids of CALIFORNIA BOUND moments has deepened his gratitude.

On September 12, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Vann as the BISHOP OF FORT WORTH fourth Bishop of Orange. As a child, it Bishop Vann was ordained and was a big deal to go to his grandparents’ installed as the third bishop of the house on a Sunday evening and watch Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth on July Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color 13, 2005. During his 7 ½ years leading and he was a big fan of The Mickey the expanding and increasingly diverse Mouse Club. He always said he’d like to CONTINUES ON PAGE 9 diocese, he worked closely with bishops

BISHOP KEVIN VANN IS PICTURED WITH POPE JOHN PAUL II, 1984.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

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FATHER VANN STANDS OUTSIDE THE PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS IN ROME IN 1985.

FEATURE SERVED (S) ON THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES:

BISHOP KEVIN VANN AHEAD OF THE DEDICATION OF THE NEW SHRINE TO OUR LADY OF LA VANG AT THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE, JULY 2021.

present the Gospel and to give people hope. go to Disneyland someday – and now In keeping with this theme of hope, he goes once a week and even has a Bishop Vann recites St. Teresa’s BookMagic Pass. mark daily: “I’ve been grateful to be here, and I Let nothing disturb you, love California,” he said. “It’s a chalLet nothing frighten you, lenge but most states are a challenge, All things are passing; not just here.”

God only is changeless.

Bishop Vann doesn’t actually like to Patience gains all things. use the word challenge – he prefers the Who has God wants nothing. word opportunity. As the leader of the God alone suffices.

10th largest diocese in the country and In his spare time, besides visithome to a large and diverse Catholic ing Disneyland, Bishop Vann enjoys population, that opportunity is to a good book, a good walk and good CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

dinner conversation with friends. He is a talented piano player, owing Sister James Marie for teaching him how to play in grade school. He also has a fondness for hats which started out as sun protection and has evolved into a collection of hundreds.

In addition to celebrating 40 years in the religious life, Bishop Vann also turned 70 years-old on May 10. He said he has much to be grateful for this year.

“Not that life has always been easy, but I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had.” C

VICE PRESIDENT, CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS (CCC) Oct. 2019-Present SECRETARY/TREASURER, CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS (CCC) Oct. 2016-Oct. 2019 ECCLESIASTICAL DELEGATE FOR THE PASTORAL PROVISION 2011-Present EPISCOPAL MODERATOR, CATHOLIC DIVORCE MINISTRY May 2010-Present PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE BOARD Nov. 2017-Present MEMBER OF THE USCCB CANONICAL AFFAIRS & CHURCH GOVERNANCE 2008-2011; 2011-2014; 2014-2017; 2020-Present MEMBER OF THE USCCB COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE ISSUES 2016-Present CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CATHOLIC LEGAL IMMIGRATION NETWORK, INC. (CLINIC) 2013-2019 MEMBER OF THE USCCB COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION 2010-2019 MEMBER OF THE USCCB COMMITTEE ON CATHOLIC EDUCATION 2013-2016 DIRECTOR, CROSS CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL 2012-2015 INTERNATIONAL DOMINICAN FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2007-2014 MEMBER OF THE USCCB TASK FORCE ON HEALTH CARE 2009-20011 C

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FEATURE

A ‘REAL HEART FOR THE NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE’ LONGTIME CLOSE ASSOCIATES OF BISHOP VANN PRAISE HIS CHARACTER AND BRIDGE-BUILDING SKILLS AS LEADER OF THE 10TH LARGEST DIOCESE IN THE NATION

BY GREG HARDESTY

J

UST OVER A DECADE into his priesthood, Kevin Vann, the future bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, served as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in the central Illinois city of Decatur, a mere 40-minute drive from his hometown of Springfield.

He was a local boy, yes.

But Fr. Kevin W. Vann, who became pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1992, already had worldly experience as a priest, spending four years in Italy to earn, in 1985, his doctor of canon law degree at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

It was early on during Fr. Vann’s nine-year tenure at Our Lady of Lourdes when the future archbishop of Omaha, Fr. George Lucas, met him.

Fr. Lucas recognized back then Fr. Vann’s talent for growing a congregation and his desire to be as inclusive as possible in ministering to his parishioners.

“He realized a number of Spanish-speaking immigrants were moving into the Decatur area,” recalled Archbishop Lucas, a St. Louis, Mo.-bred prelate who is in his 12th year overseeing some 240,000 Catholics in 130 parishes in Nebraska.

“He met some of them at a restaurant and began teaching himself Spanish,” Archbishop Lucas recalled. “Their work schedule was such that many of them were not able to attend Mass on Sunday. He celebrated Mass with them in Spanish in a way that was convenient for them.”

That story, Archbishop Lucas said, is typical of Bishop Vann’s 40 years in the priesthood.

“He is very friendly and outgoing, with a real heart for the needs of his

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BISHOP VANN PERFORMS ON STAGE WITH THE SANTA MARGARITA HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF “GUYS AND DOLLS” IN APRIL 2016.

people,” Archbishop Lucas said.

STELLAR STEWARDSHIP

As Bishop Vann celebrates this year the 40th anniversary of his ordination as a priest, close associates like Archbishop Lucas praise his soft touch with his diverse flock of 1.6 million Catholics and skills at running a diocese during one of its most transformative periods.

Milestones under Bishop Vann’s leadership include the renovation and

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CONTINUES ON PAGE 11

BISHOP VANN ADDRESSES ATTENDEES AT HIS BIRTHDAY DINNER, OCTOBER 2021.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

dedication of the Christ Cathedral on July 17, 2019, and the Diocese’s latest jewel, St. Michael’s Abbey, whose Church of Our Lady of the Assumption was dedicated in Silverado Canyon on May 4, 2021.

“He really sees Christ Cathedral as a point of both welcoming and outreach for the diverse communities that gather there,” said Archbishop Lucas, who served as co-consecrator when Bishop Van was installed as bishop of Fort Worth, Texas, on July 13, 2005.

“I admire him for rising to the occasion to meet the pastoral needs in front of him and to do that joyfully and generously.”

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

family person more than as a bishop, and that’s how I continue to view him today,” he says. “I treat him as a family member.”

A CURIOUS LEARNER

Bishop Jaime Soto, an Orange County-bred prelate who has overseen the Diocese of Sacramento since 2008, has known Bishop Vann since Bishop Vann’s days in Fort Worth as a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop Vann has become very close to Bishop Soto’s family and regularly visits Bishop Soto’s mother, Gloria.

“He probably sees her more than I do,” said Bishop Soto, who praised Bishop Vann’s desire to learn different languages and cultures, and his willingness, as an active leader of the California Catholic Conference, “to engage in some of the most challenging moral issues we face as a church here.”

“He’s a quick learner,” Bishop Soto added. “He exhibits a certain curiosity and eagerness to learn, and that keeps a person young.” C

Gabriel Ferrucci, a leading contributor to the Catholic Church in Orange County and beyond, recalls meeting Bishop Vann the day after it was announced he would succeed retiring BISHOP VANN THROWS OUT THE FIRST PITCH AT ANGEL STADIUM IN JULY 2013.

Bishop Tod Brown.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE On Sept. 12, 2012, Bishops Brown and Vann visited Ferrucci and his wife, Maria, at their home.

“The moment he walked in, he started speaking Italian,” recalled Ferrucci, who rose from a modest life as a working-class Italian immigrant to the U.S. in 1957 to a successful businessman.

“He showed a sincere and significant appreciation for our Italian culture.”

Ferrucci has worked closely with Bishop Vann on the restoration of the Christ Cathedral’s famed Hazel Wright Organ and various other diocesan activities. He recognizes Bishop Vann’s gifts at building bridges with a variety of constituents.

“He’s a very hard-working person who learns things quickly and who is not afraid of making tough decisions,” said Ferrucci, who also praises Bishop Vann as a person – a loyal friend to him and Maria, who passed away this March.

BISHOP VANN GREETS THE MISIONERAS CLARISAS AT AN ECUMENICAL BISHOP VANN ENTERS AN EVENING PRAYER SERVICE AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL TO “We saw him as a caring and gentle IMMIGRATION REFORM EVENT IN 2014.

HONOR THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PRIESTLY ORDINATION ON OCT. 25, 2021.

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B ishop K evin v ann

T

he priests, deacons, seminarians, consecrated religious, the faithful, and Bishop Michael F. Olson

of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth congratulate Bishop Kevin Vann on the 40 th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and extend gratitude and thanks for his service to the faithful during his time as Bishop of Fort Worth. May God continue to bless you and your ministy.

Congratulations Bishop Kevin W. Vann

th

on your

40 Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood

May the Lord bless you as you celebrate a lifetime of commitment, love and dedication to Christ and his Church.

Archbishop José H. Gomez, the Auxiliary Bishops, the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Mission | St. Joseph | St. Jude

Providence congratulates

Bishop Vann on his 40th ordination anniversary.

providence.org

Many Blessings ON THE

ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR ORDINATION BISHOP KEVIN VANN

FROM ST. MARTIN DE PORRES PARISH | YORBA LINDA

CONGRATULATIONS! O n y ou r 4 0 th A n ni v er sa ry o f Or d i na t i o n

Th e l o ve & p r aye rs of San A nto nio de Padu a P aris h a r e wi t h y ou !

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez and all the faithful of the Diocese of Austin, Texas congratulate Bishop Kevin Vann on the 40th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

Thank you for your faithful service to God’s people.

Serra Clubs of the Diocese of Orange celebrate with

Bishop Kevin Vann on his 40th Anniversary of ministry and loving service to our Church and the faithful he shepherds.

We pray for Bishop Vann always!

Congratulations MOST REVEREND

Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD on your

40th Episcopal Anniversary

Most Reverend Alberto Rojas Bishop of San Bernardino

Congratulations, Bishop Vann, on the 40th Anniversary of your Ordination.

May Jesus, the Good Shepherd, grant you continued good health, wisdom, and joy. May the love of the Lord always be with you.

and the Catholic faithful of the

Diocese of San Bernardino

San Clemente, Ca

Bishop Vann’s The shield of the personal arms of Bishop Vann are rendered in deep heraldic blue to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Castellated fort in silver to represent the Diocese of Ft. Worth.

Emblems for St. Vincent de Paul and St. John Vianney symbolize the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity.

In accord with Heraldic tradition for a residential bishop, his personal arms is “impaled” with that of the Diocese that is positioned on the left of the shield.

There is a symbol of the ocean waves and rising above are the symbols of Saddleback Mountain. Framed by the arches of the historic Mother Church of the Diocese, Mission San Juan Capistrano, is an orange tree for the County in which the local Church resides. Finally, at the uppermost portion of the shield is the rose with the sun radiating behind it symbolizing the patroness of the Diocese, Our Lady of Guadalupe. The mitre bears a highly polished blue benitoite, which is the state stone of California.

Bishop Vann’s motto is: IN FIDE ET DILECTIONE IN CHRISTO IESU from Saint Paul’s second letter to Timothy (Chapter 1:13-14), which reads — “Take as your norm the sound words that you have heard from me, in faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

COAT OF ARMS EXPLAINED

The Cross of Saint Kevin is the emblem of his patron saint.

The pilgrim’s hat is the heraldic emblem for all prelates and priests of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, done in deep green, the color of the Office of Bishop.

The red ruby center is symbolic of the red apple of pious legend.

The large golden monstrance is emblematic of the Blessed Sacrament commemorating Pope John Paul II’s Year of the Eucharist, that coincided with Bishop’s Episcopal ordination, as well as paying homage to family ties to the Church of Blessed Sacrament.

The Chrisma monogram honors Blessed John Paul II. Right of the monstrance are two upright black keys, symbols for St. John Vianney, the universal patron saint of parish priests, bound by knotted cords representing what is bound by the Church on Earth, is bound in heaven, as Christ affirmed in Sacred Scripture.

Left of the monstrance is Cross Fleury symbolic of holy poverty vowed by Saint Vincent de Paul, as well as being the black heraldic color of the priesthood.

Red Roses honor Our Lady of Guadalupe and his embrace of the Hispanic Apostolate.

The gold border surrounding the shield represents the wisdom of God and the trust that He places in the men called to the Office of Bishop.

Below the shield is the insignia of office of a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, the rank that Bishop Vann holds at the time of his episcopal ordination.

CONGRATULATING BISHOP VANN ON 40 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP.

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