Honolulu Catholics honor Ferrario
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
The Knights of Columbus honor guard stood in four-by-four formation as about 500 mourners looked on. A large funeral wreath hung on a nearby wall. Presiding over the 90-minute services were four deacons, four bishops and an archbishop.
Bishop Francis DiLorenzo pays his respects to Bishop Joseph Ferrario, his predecessor as bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu from 1982 to 1993, at funeral services at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
One week after Bishop Joseph Ferrario's death, the former leader of the state's largest faith organization was remembered for his service to the poor and needy, his love of ministering and his ability to bring out the deeper meaning of any occasion.
In attendance at the The Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa were visiting clergy from other denominations, civic leaders and military chaplains.
Ferrario died Dec. 12 at age 77 at St. Francis Medical Center. He served as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu from 1982 to 1993.
Ferrario was eulogized by Monsignor James Habiger of Minnesota, a longtime friend who said he first mistook his classmate in the seminary as a member of the faculty.
"Bishop Joe never blended in," Habiger said, facing the casket. "You stood up and stood out and made sure your voice was heard."
Ferrario was a parish priest who rose from within Hawai'i's ranks to become its top diocesan administrator. A bishop for 25 years, Ferrario's early agenda for the diocese was recalled by Habiger as "outreach, unity and renewal."
During his sermon, current Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo recalled his friend and predecessor as someone who looked for the deeper meaning in his everyday occurrences.
DiLorenzo also took the opportunity to ask those assembled to pray that more men will seek a priestly vocation.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
"His death has left a puka in our lives," he said. "We need to pray for someone to take Joe's place in the diocese."
Pallbearers escort the casket of former Honolulu Bishop Joseph Ferrario following funeral services at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. Scores of people attended the funeral.
After the Roman Catholic funeral Mass, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie gave his condolences to the family and told the assembly that Ferrario "brought such joy to life. ... Being in his company made you a better person and reminded me to be a better person."
Abercrombie also quoted from Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who said you should leave people better for having known you.
"He did that," Abercrombie said.
Jerry Ferrario, the bishop's nephew from Scranton, Pa., Ferrario's hometown, rose to thank the gathered crowd.
"His Pennsylvania family would like to thank his Hawai'i family for taking care of him so well," he said.
The younger Ferrario said the family would talk to the man they called "Uncle Bishop Joe" on Sundays, and they'd ask how the weather was in Hawai'i.
"It's beautiful in paradise," he'd respond.
"I always thought, what better place than Hawai'i?" said the younger Ferrario. "There's only one, and I'm sure he's there."
The most touching moment of the funeral came at its end, when a procession led by Archbishop William Levada of San Francisco and other priests followed the casket carried by pallbearers — including Frank DeLima — to the hearse. The nearly 100 gathered clergy spontaneously broke into song, a cappella, and the strains of the Latin words to "Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)," a traditional funeral processional song, filled the air.
Burial took place at Hawaiian Memorial Park overlooking Kane'ohe Bay.
Reach Mary Kaye Ritz at mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8035.
