New Gallup Diocese bishop discusses area concerns

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Independent correspondent

GALLUP — After five months at the helm of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup, Bishop James S. Wall sat down in his office on Monday for his first in-depth media interview.Wall, 44, now the youngest bishop leading a Catholic diocese, talked about a variety of topics, from his recent introduction to Pope Benedict XVI to clergy sex abuse allegations that continue to be an issue for the diocese. Wall was accompanied by the Rev. James Walker, the vicar general of the diocese, and Lee Lamb, the communications director.

“I think the Lord called me to it,” Wall said of his leadership of the Gallup Diocese. As for anyone who might think the former Phoenix priest is too young for the responsibility, Wall said he has been inspired by the New Testament advice of Paul to Timothy — “essentially not to let anybody look down on you because of your youth but to realize that this is something you’ve been called to.”

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