While busy preparing a teaching, Bishop Joseph Williams received a call from Cardinal Christophe Pierre who said the news he had to share would greatly affect Bishop Williams.
Cardinal Pierre called to inform Bishop Williams that Pope Francis named him coadjutor of Camden, New Jersey. Cardinal Pierre’s next question was, “Do you know where that is?”
“And thanks be to God that I knew Camden was in New Jersey because my geography is not great,” Bishop Williams said. “He asked if I accepted, and I always would accept a nomination like that.”
Bishop Williams told “Practicing Catholic” radio show producer Kayla Mayer during an interview that will air June 14 that in that moment, he felt Christ’s peace. On Dec. 10, 2021, Bishop Williams had received a similar call, being named the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis by Pope Francis.
“So, it’s done,” Bishop Williams said. “And you accept what’s done and that struck me both times. If that’s an act that’s already been done, unless there’s a really, really good reason not to, you say ‘God’s will be done.’”
Bishop Williams said he found peace and grace in being obedient to God’s will. His sense of peace only increased in his research of Camden. Bishop Williams found the city to be an “amazing” place. He was enticed mainly by the inner city and East Coast shore cultures and additionally felt “a thousand” welcomes in the 48 hours he’d spent visiting Camden. Quoting the book of Isaiah, Bishop Williams compared his love for his new flock to that of the bridegroom rejoicing in his bride.
“I think it’s just a happiness of having a people to love,” Bishop Williams said. “Wow, this people has been entrusted by God to me and I get to love them. That’s the most overwhelming feeling that I’ve had.”
Inspired by Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Bishop Williams is excited to “sow the seeds” and “water those seeds with my prayer” in a new place. Bishop Williams said one of his great takeaways from working with Archbishop Hebda is his bold proclamation of the Gospel and the unity of the body of Christ. Bishop Williams believes synodality is aimed at a greater evangelical reach so that more people can know Jesus.
Bishop Williams asked for prayers for his new ministry.
“Pray that these next couple of months I can do what the Lord wants me to do in terms of tying up loose ends. You want to make sure that the garden here continues to flourish, that I can see the people that God wants me to see and say goodbye, too. But also, I would love it if the listener started praying for priestly vocations in Camden.”
To hear Bishop Williams talk about time with his family before he departs, tune in to the “Practicing Catholic” episode that debuts at 9 p.m. June 14 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. June 15 and 2 p.m. June 16.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program also includes a discussion with Father Michael Miller, who will host the upcoming Rural Life Sunday event at his family farm. Also, St. Paul-based Catholic wedding photographers Katzie and Ben Nelson offer insight into marriage.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
