EDITOR’S NOTE: Below are excerpts from Catholic Courier Staff Writer Mike Latona’s Feb. 20 Zoom interview with Bishop John S. Bonnici. The excerpts have been edited for brevity and clarity. To view the interview in its entirety, visit the Multimedia section at CatholicCourier.com.
Catholic Courier: At the press conference (announcing your appointment), you mentioned that your mother taught you to pray the rosary, and that she also was a convert to the Catholic Church. Could you dig a little deeper into how having that kind of childhood affected you and your faith?
Bishop Bonnici: My mom was a baptized Lutheran. She grew up in a mixed-faith family. … All the boys (in) her family were (raised) Catholic, and all the girls were Lutheran. And it was basically, I guess, an accommodation for a mixed marriage way back when. But she was very familiar with the Catholic faith even growing up as a child because her brothers were practicing the Catholic faith. So, when she met my father — of course, this was prior to the Second Vatican Council — they were married, and she had to make the promise to raise the children Catholic and do everything she could to make that happen. … Today, it’s the Catholic party that makes the promise, not the non-Catholic party. But she took that promise, that commitment, very seriously. And she did what she could to help me grow into the faith, making sure that I enrolled and attended religious-education classes. She practiced the prayers with me at home. She taught me the rosary. She also would take me on these little walks through the city, especially on days off from school, and we would visit Catholic churches. We’d go inside and offer a prayer, often burn a candle. And she did everything she possibly could to inspire in me the importance of the faith. And my father, who of course worked and worked very hard, nurtured that when he was home. So, I couldn’t have had a better upbringing in the faith.
Discerning a vocational call to the priesthood
Catholic Courier: You started out in college in a pre-med program.
Bishop Bonnici: I was a biology and philosophy major with a focus in pre-med.
Catholic Courier: When and how did you become aware that you had a vocational call to the priesthood?
Bishop Bonnici: I started the process of discernment very early. I attended the seminary high school here in New York, Cathedral Prep Seminary High School. It has since closed, but it was a regular, all-boys high school. After I completed high school, I went to college at St. John’s University and lived at the college seminary. It was a program where you went to a regular university, and then you received a formation program to continue to discern the priesthood during your college years. What was required was a philosophy minor at a minimum, or a major. But at that point, (while) still discerning, I was very much attracted to the physical sciences and kept my options open, if you will. And so I worked on the pre-med program. I survived organic chemistry in my second year, so I thought that was a sign that I was at least able to continue. But as I as I continued my studies and was part of the formation program at the seminary, I became increasingly aware that God was calling me to the priesthood. So, I completed my degree, went through the process — even the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and everything else required — but increasingly felt that the Lord was calling me to the priesthood. I ultimately made the decision to enter the major seminary.
Catholic Courier: Did you have any guidance from a mentor who helped you arrive at your vocation?
Bishop Bonnici: Aside from my immediate family, I would say that — and I mentioned her at the press conference — Sister Laura Moore, who was a Mission Helper (of) the Sacred Heart, was very pivotal. She was the one who initially asked me the question, “Did you ever think of becoming a priest?” I had just received the sacrament of confirmation and had not yet decided on a high school, and she asked the question. Her life, her advice, her lessons (were influential) because I had her as my religion teacher pretty much all along. We were a small parish, so she handled everything, and the way she lived her life, her being a convert to the faith from the Baptist Church, had such an enthusiasm. And she was a very hard person to say no to. I was all set to go to for high school to Bronx Science, which was one of our public schools, again, on the science track. And she said to me, “Have you ever heard of Cathedral Prep?” I hadn’t. And she said, “Why don’t you go there and just take a look at it? I made an appointment for you.” And so I did, just to be nice and to be kind to an old woman that I love very much. I went there, and that’s literally when everything started, because I had a good experience at my introduction to the school and (enrollment) — so much so that we forgot to inform Bronx Science that I wasn’t going there. So, after about a month and a half, a truancy officer knocked on the door thinking I was AWOL and hadn’t realized that I was enrolled in a private school. So, Sister Laura Moore and a couple of priests along the way as well were very influential in me beginning the journey to the priesthood.
Bishop Bonnici’s hobbies, interests
Catholic Courier: What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Bishop Bonnici: Oh, I’m a bit of an auto buff. You know, I love cars, especially racing — not that I personally race, but I enjoy watching. … I enjoy the arts, especially the theater. Following the example of His Holiness, Pope Leo, I try to balance the physical, the mental and the spiritual. So, I try to work out regularly. I read a lot. I enjoy reading various genres, nothing specific. I like historical fiction, in particular, though. And of course, the spiritual life, to continue to always enhance that by seeking greater understanding.
Catholic Courier: How many Broadway shows do you suppose you’ve been to in your life?
Bishop Bonnici: Oh my gosh, not too many. When my mother was still with us, she enjoyed Broadway shows, so that was a great excuse for me to go with her. And that was something we enjoyed together. But since she has passed, and with the demands of work, it has been increasingly difficult to attend.
Catholic Courier: What are couple of your favorite Broadway shows?
Bishop Bonnici: Well, of course, the standards. “The Phantom of the Opera” was one of my favorites. I remember one of the first ones I saw young was the “Mystery of Edwin Drood,” which was captivating, especially at a young age. Of course, “Les Misérables” was phenomenal. (I’ve seen) most of the ones that get a lot of attention.
Catholic Courier: Do you have any favorite movies?
Bishop Bonnici: I’m a big fan of “Sister Act.” I’ve always enjoyed that. Despite the language, “My Cousin Vinny” is definitely one I can watch repeatedly. “The Shawshank Redemption” is a favorite, and it’s on seemingly all the time. You know, the Indiana Jones series, of course, and the Last Crusade in particular. I mean, obvious connection — I guess we all look for the Holy Grail, right? And who wouldn’t like “Gladiator”? I wasn’t too excited by the sequel, but the first one definitely made an impression.
And, of course, some of the religious movies that have been out. I enjoyed “The Passion of the Christ.” I’m a big fan of “The Chosen” (TV) series. I like that very much. Even though they take a little bit of poetic license with the Scriptures, the development of the characters — which is consistent with the Scriptures — is very helpful. And I’ve seen it impact a lot of people in a good way. After having met and spent a lot of time with (Jonathan) Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus, I’ve had even more newfound respect for the series. I think it’s a very good effort.
Catholic Courier: Are you a fan of other TV series?
Bishop Bonnici: Well, my all-time favorite is “M.A.S.H.” I’m definitely a fan, and I probably watch it way too much; it’s a great source of therapy. (It’s) one of the few sitcoms where I think the Catholic priest is presented in a very good way. You know, Father Mulcahy could teach priests a lot of good lessons, and his humility and ability to serve and answer that call to service without looking for the spotlight — despite his humanity — is very inspiring. It’s a well- well-done version.
Catholic Courier: Do you have any favorite sports or teams?
Bishop Bonnici: I do. I’ve been a Yankees and a Giants fan. I think now the Buffalo Bills are getting my attention, and hockey has become a new sport, in my view. I’ve (also) rooted for the Mets, but the Yankees — from growing up in Manhattan, close to the Bronx — that was almost a natural event.
Catholic Courier: You would have been a young man at the time of all those great late 1970s Yankees teams with Reggie Jackson.
Bishop Bonnici: Absolutely, and then I served in the Bronx for six years. When you’re a pastor in the Bronx, right on the Grand Concourse, just a stone’s throw from Yankee Stadium, you don’t wear any Mets gear for fear of your life.
Serving in New York City after Sept. 11, 2001
Catholic Courier: Speaking of New York City, where were you during the terrorist attacks on 9/11, and can you can share some stories, not only of that day, but of the aftermath?
Bishop Bonnici: Well, that was certainly a terrible day. That’s a very somber anniversary for us all. I was still working at the (Archdiocese of New York’s) chancery as the family life director when that terrible day took place, and I was at 1011 First Avenue. I remember very distinctly making my way into the offices early in the morning, and one of my colleagues who also had arrived early, we were just sitting in a common space in the office, watching the morning news (on television) and the weather report was going on. And you know how they have a backdrop of a (live) scene during the weather report? The scene was the World Trade Center, the Twin Towers, against this very perfect blue sky. And as we’re watching the weather report … the first plane hit the tower, and the reaction of the weatherman and ourselves was total disbelief. And that began the horrible sequence of that day. It was (a) very frightening day, with so much uncertainty as the building we were in went on lockdown. All the emergency protocols went into place because staff were arriving at the very moment when the when the attack started. And there were rumors and fears that the United Nations was one of the targets, and we were only blocks away from that building, so people were legitimately scared. And we were watching, like everyone else, the events unfold on television.
I remember walking home at the end of the day, when the lockdown was finally lifted. (At the time,) I lived on 21st Street and Second Avenue in residence at Epiphany Parish. It was an incredibly surreal experience, because you could see these large crowds making their way north. It was regular people right from that area, basically escaping the total calamity around them. They were all covered in dust, and they were walking up the FDR Drive because there were no cars. I was going in the opposite direction. And I finally got home and right across the street from the rectory entrance was the precinct, which ended up becoming the command center after the original one downtown was destroyed. And because of that, security was very tight. I would have to show ID and literally be patted down every time I got in and out of my house. And I got to my room, and I had left my windows cracked open for air circulation, and my whole room was covered in dust.
Catholic Courier: How far did you live from where the attacks occurred?
Bishop Bonnici: Oh, maybe 4.5 or 5 miles. But you know that wave of dust covered a large territory. The cardinal at the time asked that all the priests do their best to serve the needs of the community. Many of us were asked to do morgue duty. And so I started the day after down at Ground Zero and worked there with a brother priest, supporting the fire department and police and EMS who were doing the horrific task of looking for the deceased and the victims of the attack. And then we would bless the bodies, say the prayers as they were brought into the morgue, which at that time was the old Battery Park food court that had been turned into a makeshift morgue at the very beginning of the of the tragedy. Wow.
Catholic Courier: Did you perform any anointings or do funerals of victims?
Bishop Bonnici: No anointings because none of them were alive that they were carrying in. But at the parish, yes, several funerals. And if you recall, the churches at the moment, especially in our city here, became the epicenters of grief. Because in most of the parishes, especially if there was like a plaza at the entrance, people were hanging photos of their loved ones who had not yet been discovered, not knowing their whereabouts or even whether they were alive or dead. And the churches were filled to capacity every day for prayer, for Mass. Amid the tragedy, the sadness and the grief, there was this real, genuine kindness and fraternal love in the city of New York, of all places. People really came together. It’s sad as it was, and every anniversary, it continues to be a terrible reminder. It was also a time of grace. The Lord was able to use people to reach out to others and allow for the healing that was so necessary.
Impacts of the COVID pandemic on ministry
Catholic Courier: Jumping forward several years, could you talk a little about how the COVID pandemic affected you and your ministry?
Bishop Bonnici: It was an unprecedented time and experience with very little warning. I was pastor in the country at that time at our St. Columba Parish in Chester, New York, and everything came to a sudden halt. I remember we were about to celebrate the 5 p.m. vigil Mass on a Saturday, and a memo went out that we had to shut down, and no people were allowed in. It was only about an hour and a half before the Mass was scheduled to start. …
The early period was very difficult. There were so many restrictions in place — legitimate certainly at the time — but it had a lot of consequences. There was a lot of collateral damage from that isolation. Not being able to go to the hospital and anoint someone who was dying because you weren’t allowed entrance, that was a challenge. I literally spoke to parishioners on the phone as they were dying to offer them comfort. And it destroyed me knowing that I couldn’t hold their hand or place the oil on their head. This was early, when we were in real lockdown. And the other thing that was so difficult was funerals. You only allowed certain people access; a wake was unheard of. The restrictions gradually abated, but it took a while. Doing a funeral Mass with one person in attendance, you had to choose which family member could go in … I remember at one point — it was horrible — a young child had passed, and only one parent was allowed to go to the (outdoor) grave site. How do you tell the other parent that they’re not permitted to be with their child who is just deceased?
So, those were unexpected, unprecedented challenges to the ministry. But, you know, God works in great ways. And in the midst of all that, there was great creativity. Priests in the community where I was would have the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance on the back of a pickup truck, driving slowly through the neighborhood so people could pray. Stations of the Cross were done outside. Makeshift altars were built outside the church, so that people could drive up in their cars, almost like at a drive-in movie theater and attend Mass. All those efforts allowed our faithful to come to church, to receive the sacraments, to receive the grace of those sacraments they needed so desperately during that difficult time. So, it was hard, but the church prevailed, and it continued to be a place of comfort, consolation and peace for people that were experiencing great uncertainty, great difficulty and great sorrow.
Catholic Courier: No matter how bad the pandemic was elsewhere in the country, it was much worse in New York City.
Bishop Bonnici: It was. Where I am currently in Larchmont was just blocks from where (the pandemic) all started in New Rochelle. And when it first emerged, I don’t think any of us anticipated how quickly (it would spread) and how horrific it would become in such a short time. But I was enamored, especially by the first responders — the EMS workers, the nurses, the doctors. When I was in Chester at the time, a group of us got together and we lit the whole church up in blue, in gratitude to all those in the medical profession, because there were a lot of nurses who were simply not even (going) home to their families out of safety concerns, but caring for the sick and putting themselves in harm’s way. A lot of very heroic and dedicated people.
Getting the call to serve in Rochester diocese
Catholic Courier: Did you ever expect or hope to become the bishop of a diocese?
Bishop Bonnici: Well, there’s always that possibility when you’re an auxiliary. You do realize that a phone call could come and you would be asked to lead a diocese. You don’t know when that’s going to come, if it comes at all. … But I never dwelled on it, and I simply focused on the work and the mission at hand, which (has been that of) an auxiliary bishop and a pastor of two parishes. I didn’t have a whole lot of time to think about potential change. But when I did get the call and I saw the area code, I did take a deep breath and realized that something was coming.
Catholic Courier: Could you tell us a little about how that unfolded and how you reacted?
Bishop Bonnici: It was on a Sunday before Christmas, and I was just about to go out and celebrate Mass. It was about 15 minutes before Mass was scheduled to start, and I answered the phone. It was his eminence, Cardinal (Christophe) Pierre, the apostolic nuncio. I knew immediately between the area code and his accent, there was no doubt. And he said, “Bishop Bonnici, do you have time to speak?” And I said, “Well, Your Eminence, I have Mass in 15 minutes.” And he asked, Why do you have Mass? I said, because it’s Sunday. And so he said, “I don’t want to ruin your Mass. I’ll call you later.” I said, “Your Eminence, you already did that. So why don’t you just tell me where I’m going?” And so that’s when he said the Holy Father has appointed you to Rochester. And there was a pause, and I said, “Very well, thank you.” And he asked, “Do you accept?” And I said,” Well, I’ve said yes all along, so of course I accept. But I really have to get to Mass,” because now it was just five minutes before.
So I went to Mass, and I was distracted, honestly. … Of course, no one else knew at that moment, nor would they know for a while. And after the Mass, when I’m greeting them leaving the church, a few people said to me, “Bishop, you look a little preoccupied. Is everything okay?” And I said, “I’m sorry. I just have a few things on my mind.” So that was the beginning. And then, of course, (Cardinal Pierre and I) followed up and had a longer conversation regarding the specifics. But (the call coming) right before Mass, frankly, couldn’t have been a better time, because I needed to pray. And what better way to pray than celebrate the holy sacrifice?
Challenges facing the Church today
Catholic Courier: What do you see as some of the larger challenges, not only in the Rochester Diocese, but in the universal church and in the church of the United States?
Bishop Bonnici: I think the challenges are always to introduce, to share and to present to the people of God the power that Jesus has to change their lives and to make their lives better. That has been the mission of the church from the very beginning: Repent and believe, for the kingdom of God is at hand. To live that charismatic moment — that proclamation, that truth of our faith — to live it in a way that is attractive and captures the attention of all people, whoever they are, wherever they are.
That is a challenge, especially in the modern world. It’s always been difficult, but today, people are distracted in so many different ways, and those distractions are not always good. They can create a false sense of community, which, in reality, is probably a real source of loneliness. For many, technology, social media, all those things can sometimes resemble interpersonal communion and the presence of others, but in reality, a lot of it is more virtual and artificial than we dare to admit. So, I think the church has an opportunity — and I would say a responsibility going forward these days — to help people discover the need for the other and not simply friends on Facebook or some other platform, but real friends, friendships with other human beings. We are all created in the image and likeness of God, so, intrinsic to our nature is this need to enter into relationships with other human beings. And that’s not a simple choice or an accident. That’s natural. It’s part of our being. And when (the need for relationships is) absent or neglected or impeded, not great things follow.
I think the church needs to continue to offer salvation, to invite people to embrace Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but also to allow them to achieve a sense of peace and happiness that God wants for them through the sacraments, through his living Word and through the traditions of the church. And we’re already starting to see some of that happen, and that’s why I’m very, very optimistic about the future, not only in Rochester, but in the church in the United States and more broadly in the world. I think people are starting to realize that they need and want more, and now it’s up to the church to present them an opportunity to embrace our Lord and what he offers to satisfy that need. It takes creativity and a true desire to listen to every person’s story — to embrace that story with a genuine sense of acceptance — and then to accompany them with the Lord, to achieve that place where they can be happy.
I’m thrilled to see now that the path of Archbishop (Fulton J.) Sheen, a predecessor in Rochester, to beatification has restarted. He was way ahead of his time, wasn’t he? He was competition for Milton Berle (considered “the first major American television star”). His TV show spoke to a large audience. He took what was very difficult, the teaching of the church, theological presentations, and made them understandable for the larger population. People tuned in because they wanted to hear what he had to say, but more importantly, they wanted to benefit from his plan that leads to happiness. Today, we have different means of communication, but we have to be equally creative and hopefully inspired by Sheen and others like him. We can continue that path forward.
Archdiocese of New York vs. Rochester diocese
Catholic Courier: Could you compare and contrast your very large New York Archdiocese and what you’ve been able to learn so far about the Rochester Diocese?
Bishop Bonnici: The Archdiocese of New York is certainly a larger population. It’s made up of many different counties, demographically, very diverse. Rochester, of course, similarly, has diversity. I think there’d be a lot more traveling (in Rochester), with longer distances between counties than I have had in my two vicariates. I’ve been the vicar for Westchester and Rockland counties, and in those two regions, I have 75 parishes. … I’ve made every effort to reach as many of the parishes in my region as possible. I did most of it through confirmations. One of the challenges with me leaving now for Rochester is not being available for the 80 confirmations scheduled for the coming season; those are now being picked up by my brother bishops here in New York. But I look forward to Rochester’s confirmations because that’s one area where you reach the family in a special way. You reach the teens who are at a special point in their life anticipating the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but you also reach their parents. You meet their sponsors, their extended family. It’s a joyous occasion, but also a rekindling of the faith in a variety of ways. So, as I look forward to beginning as the Bishop of Rochester, my plan is to get to visit all these parishes, to at least have Mass and greet the people. To get to know the area, to celebrate its diversity and to travel where they get to know me, they get to see me. And then, of course, at the cathedral, to welcome all those who wish to come and enjoy God’s word and sacrament. So, I’m excited about the possibilities ahead and the opportunities to get to meet and greet as many people as possible, the priests, the religious and God’s faithful.
Catholic Courier: Are you coming in with any priorities?
Bishop Bonnici: At the press conference, I talked about my “Four Ls” that Sister Laura Moore had ingrained and introduced. And I think that’s a good plan. I need to listen to the people of God, to the clergy, the religious, and all those who now are part of the diocese. I need to learn about the diocese and its needs. I’m not coming with any prejudgments. And then, if I listen and I learn and I love in the way that Jesus has loved, then gradually I can respond to what the needs are and come up with plans to do my best to satisfy those needs. … Of course, with the abuse crisis of the past, that vigilance and a continued desire to nurture real healing is going to be part of my approach from Day One, because that’s something that we can never, ever neglect or look away from. (We also) go forward accompanying all those who have been hurt by the sadness of sin.
Catholic Courier: With respect to the sex-abuse crisis and the recently concluded diocesan bankruptcy case, would you say we’re still in a time of healing as a diocese?
Bishop Bonnici: Oh, absolutely. And there’s no timeframe on healing. You know that it’s an ongoing process, and everybody heals individually, at their own pace. There’s no limit, and it’s an ongoing challenge and opportunity for me as bishop to continue the good work that Bishop Matano has done. He has done heroic work, and he has been a good accompanying element in the healing process. I hope to pray, to follow his example and to do the best that I can for all involved.
Bishop Bonnici a ‘people person’
Catholic Courier: Is it accurate to say you’re a people person?
Bishop Bonnici: Oh, I’m definitely a people person. One of my best friends — who’s been called home to God, sadly — Deacon Peter, was at my first parish early on in my priesthood and gave me advice. He told me every person you encounter has a story, and you need to take the time out and to hear their story. And I’ve never forgotten that. I think that is advice that can be shared for all by all, because if all of us, each and every one of us, takes the time out when we encounter someone else to listen and to learn from their story, a lot of the difficulties and the polarization and the tension and the uncertainty (that) exist in the world today could be minimized. I know that sounds really idealistic, but you know, Mother Teresa (encouraged) doing little things with great love. And if we heard every story that we encounter and gave it the respect it deserves, we could go a long way. I said earlier, our encounter with the human person is not an accident. We need each other; it’s part of our nature. The Lord created us in such a way that we are called to enter into relationships with other human beings.
I did all my doctoral work on the theology of friendship, and I believe that true friendship — not virtual or casual acquaintances or sports buddies — true friendship, real interpersonal communion nurtures the soul and helps people come together in a beautiful way. But it does take work. It takes effort and commitment, and ultimately, it’s rooted in love. Our Lord told us in the Gospel in John 15, “I no longer call you slave or servant. I call you friend.” A friend is one who lays down his life for another and who loves God and loves his neighbor. And what better example do we have than the Lord Himself?
Catholic Courier: This must be a very bittersweet time for you — excitement about coming to the diocese and getting to know the people but also leaving a lot of people behind. You must have very mixed emotions right now.
Bishop Bonnici: Bittersweet is a good term. I am excited and happy and looking forward to my time in Rochester, but I do very much know I will miss a lot of good friends and people here in the Archdiocese of New York. You know, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Cardinal (Timothy) Dolan, yesterday, at one of many farewells I’m going to now, you know, used that (phrase) and said it’s part of our life. We’re called, and despite the difficulty, the friends that I’ve made and the relationships that I’ve established will continue. I’ve been pastor of different parishes over the last 30 years; I’ve had other jobs. I am still in contact and regular interaction with people from all those parts of my life. They’re not going away. Distance has been a challenge, even (in Westchester County), and it will be going forward. But the people that we discover in our lives remain as long as we continue to make the effort to reach out. And I’m very excited, looking forward to making a lot of new friends in Rochester, and I know that I will grow and become a better person as a result.
Bishop asks for prayer
Catholic Courier: Is there anything you would like to add?
Bishop Bonnici: I think the only thing I would say is, you know, what you see is what you get. I do love people, and I love Jesus, and I take the mandate to love God and neighbor to heart. I’m not perfect. I’m human like anyone else, but I do the best I can with the help of God’s grace. And you know, those Four Ls are great guideposts. So by listening, by learning and by loving, I look forward to living with all in Rochester and to do my best as your bishop.
I would ask that you and anyone that listens to this (interview) do one favor for me, and that’s to pray for me and to pray real hard as we make our way to March 19 and beyond, because I will need the prayers, and the presence of those prayers in my life will make a huge difference.
Tags: Bishop Installation, Bishop John S. Bonnici