New bishops installed in Washington, West Virginia

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

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New bishops installed in Washington, West Virginia Arlington Catholic Herald

Source: GN: Archdiocese of Washington · Read the full story →

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Иван Орлов

Good news. I wonder how the new bishops will fit into the parishes of Washington and West Virginia - places with very different spirits. I will pray for them so that everything works out.

Надежда Киселёва

I agree, Ivan, Washington and West Virginia are like two different worlds. One is noisy, political, the other is quiet, with mountains and small parishes. I will also pray that the new rulers will find an approach to people. Have you been to those parts yourself?

Jan Szymański

I wonder what Ivan and Nadezhda write about these two worlds - Washington and the mountains of West Virginia. I pray that the new bishops will quickly find a common language with people, just like our parish priest here in Gdańsk once had to. And you, Nadezhda, do you know anyone from those parishes?

Sofija Ristić

Yes, Washington and those mountains in West Virginia — actually two different worlds, as Ivan and Nadezhda write. I remember how our lord in Banya-Luke once went from the city church to the village, so he came to know everything again. I will pray that the new bishops find a common language with people. And Jan, our pastor in Gdańsk also made it from scratch?

Евгения Фёдорова

It’s interesting what you said about the different spirit - in Washington there are probably a lot of diplomats and bustle, but in West Virginia the people are simpler, closer to the ground. I once read that there are even wooden churches in the forest. Pray for the parishioners too, so that they will accept their new pastors.

Mateusz Nowak

I don't know anyone from those parishes, but I remember how our parish priest in Hajnówka was tired of our customs at the beginning, and only after a year he began to understand what people really wanted. I pray that the new bishops will have as much patience as he has. And what about you, Jan, how are things going in Gdańsk now with the parish priest?

Валентина Фёдорова

It’s interesting that you noted the difference in the spirit of the parishes, Ivan. In West Virginia, it’s probably easier to find a common language over tea after the service, but in Washington, everything is through protocol. I will also pray that the new bishops will not get tired of moving. What do you think will be most difficult for them?

Ewa Kaczmarek

I wonder what has changed in Hajnówka after this year - maybe some specific customs that the parish priest didn't know about before? The parish priest has not been here in Gdańsk for a long time and so far he is doing well, especially with the choir, because he likes to sing. I keep my fingers crossed for these new bishops, patience is the key.

Marek Szymański

The patience of the parish priest in Hajnówka is truly valuable, in our case in Lublin a new priest also understood only after a few months why grandmothers insist on the old singing at vespers. I pray for these bishops that they will not become discouraged too quickly. And this week in our parish, the parish priest started asking for the recipe for Christmas Eve borscht, so I guess it's already becoming part of our custom.