EDITORIAL
Much work awaits Hawai'i's new bishop

A year of waiting for a new bishop to lead Hawai'i's 225,000 Roman Catholics has ended with the announced appointment of the Rev. Clarence "Larry" Silva. And while the honeymoon hasn't even begun — the date of the installation is still unscheduled — there are hopeful signs that Silva could be a good match with the Honolulu diocese.

Certainly his familiarity with the Islands is promising. Silva was born in Honolulu, and although his family soon moved to California, he has made annual trips back to visit with family.

He also has ministered in various ethnically diverse communities in California, and this experience will serve him well addressing the needs of Hawai'i's cultural diversity.

In 2003, Silva was appointed vicar general and moderator of the curia for Oakland, among the top diocesan posts, so he has handled some broader administrative duties. Perhaps more significantly for Honolulu, he worked for four years as director of vocations in Oakland and pledges to turn his attention first to the shortage of priests in Hawai'i. With 66 parishes and 28 missions on six islands, the need for leadership is great. Catholics represent about one-sixth of the state's population.

Above all, it's a relief to see a new bishop in place with the authority to handle ministry problems, as well as the fiscal management of the diocese and other issues. In the interim since the departure of Bishop Francis DiLorenzo, any permanent decisions, such as the appointment of new pastors to Island parishes, have been on hold.

Silva's selection is promising and ideally will result in a productive and cooperative era for the church. Hawai'i Catholics are surely preparing a warm homecoming for the Hawai'i-born leader.