Bishop recalled as listener, quick wit and humble leader

As the Albany Diocese mourned the loss of its former shepherd, Bishop Edwin B. Broderick was remembered by those who knew him well as a true "renaissance man": a good listener, an able leader and a quick wit with hobbies that ranged from sports to singing.

The Evangelist spoke with several diocesan officials who served during Bishop Broderick's tenure:

* Rev. Thomas Vail, a retired priest of the Diocese who was the bishop's secretary from 1969-'73: "In fact, I met him at the Thruway and brought him to the bishop's house, and up to Channel 6, where he had an interview with [newscaster] Ernie Tetrault.

"I would call him a renaissance man, because he was interested in so many things: He was a really brilliant guy....He had been a good athlete....He loved opera, and I did, too....He had a good rapport with people.

"We used to do, like, 85 Confirmations a year, running around the Diocese. Although he was surrounded by pomp and circumstance, he remained pretty humble. He led a pretty simple life. He used to have dinners for diocesan workers at his house; he liked to show appreciation for what people did. He was kind to me and very generous."

* John Manning, now director of the diocesan Office of Pastoral Planning: "He hired me as district superintendent of Catholic schools in 1975. He was a gifted man with a keen intellect and stature. He had a great voice for singing and entertaining; he used to play the piano and sing. [He had] a great sense of humor and was a great shepherd to the people of the Diocese.

"He was bishop when a lot of the changes called for by the Second Vatican Council were just beginning to materialize, and he really fostered those changes. That's what he'll be remembered for the most; that's a significant contribution."

* Sister Martha Joyce, RSM, who served as president of the Albany province of the Religious Sisters of Mercy during Bishop Broderick's tenure: "I experienced him as affable, kind, a good listener, concerned about the welfare of the religious of the Diocese."

* Sister Joan Teresa Groth, CSJ, provincial superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet during Bishop Broderick's tenure: "I really liked working with Bishop Broderick. When the first [news] came out about the [creation of the permanent] diaconate, I [joked] to him, 'You're going to be hearing from me next week; I'm going to be applying for the diaconate.' He said, 'You can't do that!' He was pretty direct; I didn't find him at all imposing. "

* Rev. Kenneth Doyle, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena parish, Albany, and diocesan chancellor for public information: "Other people have spoken well of his pastoral sensitivity and openness to the themes of Vatican II as related to lay involvement in the Church. He really brought the themes of the Vatican Council to the Diocese, particularly with his emphasis on [forming] parish pastoral councils. He had his ear to the ground; those listening sessions he held [in parishes across the Diocese] weren't just a formality.

"He had been a semi-pro pitcher and loved baseball, and would often speak in those terms. I remember when he [celebrated Yankees manager] Billy Martin's funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Martin had a reputation for drinking, and Bishop Broderick said, 'Billy Martin may have slid into heaven, but I would say that he's safe at home.'

"I ran into Bishop Broderick coming out of a doctor's office a few months ago, and I said, 'How's your fastball nowadays?' He was fast: He winked and said, 'Lately, I've been throwing a lot of changeups."

* Rev. Michael Farano, pastor of St. Pius X parish in Loudonville, vicar general of the Diocese and moderator of the Curia: "He was very outgoing, warm. He had a great sense of humor and knew how to tell a story; he could get you laughing so hard, your side would hurt.

"He was a private person in many ways, but that didn't prevent him from enjoying the company of people. He led a fascinating life. He knew everyone from Bob Hope to [Yankees owner] George Steinbrenner to [Chrysler Corp. chairman] Lee Iacocca; but, no matter who you were, you were important to him. He was just as nice to the doorman of a building as some of the celebrities he knew on a first-name basis.

"He became bishop at an important time, after the Second Vatican Council. He adjusted to the changes and implemented those changes, but in a gentle and systematic way. He always took suggestions and evaluated [them] on their own merits. He always had great respect for Bishop Hubbard; he expressed that to me on a number of occasions.

"At Teresian House [nursing home in Albany, where he spent his final years], he ingratiated himself to the whole staff and residents. One of the nurses said he was going through his final time 'with great grace.' He resigned himself, but not in a negative way; he handed over his life to the Lord."

(7/13/06) [[In-content Ad]]