Mass of investiture honors Msgrs. Malone, Friend for leadership

Honorary titles given by Pope Benedict XVI for select priests

Published: May 1, 2010

By Malea Hargett
Editor

Malea Hargett

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor applauds Msgr. Scott Friend and Msgr. Francis I. Malone at the conclusion of the investiture rite April 20 in Little Rock.

Malea Hargett

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor applauds Msgr. Scott Friend and Msgr. Francis I. Malone at the conclusion of the investiture rite April 20 in Little Rock.

Two of Bishop Anthony B. Taylor's closest advisers were honored during a special Mass April 20 at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

The Little Rock diocesan priests, Msgr. Francis I. Malone and Msgr. Scott Friend, were given honorary titles by Pope Benedict XVI as a way to recognize their service to the Diocese of Little Rock, especially during the Year for Priests, said Bishop Taylor, who requested the designations.

"In honoring them today, we hold up their example of selfless service and are thus inspired to live our own priesthood with the same fidelity, courage and self-sacrificing love that we see in them," the bishop said in his homily.

Msgr. Malone was singled out for his leadership abilities. In addition to being pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock, he is the chancellor for ecclesial affairs, handling many of the duties of dealing with clergy, and the judicial vicar, overseeing the Tribunal. He will celebrate his 33rd anniversary as a priest on May 21.

He was elevated to the highest rank given to monsignor that is rarely given, protonotary apostolic supernumerary. Msgr. Gaston Hebert, the former diocesan administrator, is the only other priest in the Diocese of Little Rock with this distinction. They are able to put P.A. after their names.

Msgr. Malone reassured his parishioners in a letter April 8 that the distinction would not increase his duties or his salary. But it would increase his gratitude for the priesthood.

"So while I am grateful for the honor, please look beyond the initials," he wrote. "They mean something but not too much."

As part of the investiture, Msgr. Malone read a profession of faith to Bishop Taylor before the Mass. During the Mass, he signed the profession of faith at the altar as well as signed and read an act of fidelity to the pope. The profession of faith and act of fidelity also were signed by the bishop.

Priests with this distinction are also given a papal stamp, similar to what notaries use, and a floor-length, fuchsia ferraiolo, or cape, which can be worn on special occasions outside of liturgies. Msgr. Malone wore the cape to the reception following the Mass.

Before the Second Vatican Council, priests with this honor also could wear a miter, ring and pectoral cross similar to a bishop, but the cape is the only regalia still used. Today these priests wear a black cassock with red buttons and piping and a fuchsia sash.

Msgr. Friend was singled out for the way he has handled his duties as vicar general and vocations directors while living with multiple sclerosis. He is also in demand as a speaker, retreat leader and spiritual director. He was previously the pastor of several predominantly Hispanic parishes and diocesan director of Hispanic ministry. He has been a priest for 22 years.

He was elevated to prelate of honor, the second rank of monsignors. These priests wear a fuschia cassock with red buttons, piping and cuffs and a fuchsia sash.

The Mass was attended by 45 priests who were in town for continuing education classes as well as siblings and family members of both priests, current and former parishioners and diocesan employees.

In his homily, Bishop Taylor said until only recently the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, where he was ordained, didn't name priests monsignors because they didn't want to single out certain people. He said this decision made 50 years ago was an error.

"Appreciation is not a zero-sum game -- to the contrary, all are edified when we recognize the selfless service of our brother priests," he said.

The bishop said he appreciates Msgr. Malone because he helps him with "some very difficult pastoral situations, often involving priests" which require "unpopular decisions, regarding which there can be a lot of second-guessing by others who through no fault of their own do not have -- and can't be provided -- all the facts."

During his remarks at the end of the Mass, Msgr. Friend honored Msgr. Malone, saying, "It is something to help all of us as priests who look to him to see what it means to serve as a priest of Jesus Christ."

Msgr. Malone, in turn, spoke to the congregation about Msgr. Friend in Spanish.

In his remarks, Msgr. Malone honored his uncle, Msgr. Bernard Malone, who is retiring in June as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hot Springs Village.

"He is responsible, in no small part, for me standing here," he said. "He is good and he is holy. No matter what honors come my way, he stands head and shoulders above me in stature and love."

He said before he goes to bed at night the last words he says are, "I thank you Lord for making me your priest."

The bishop said Msgr. Friend inspires other priests and himself to realize that "God works more powerfully through us in areas where we are weak than in areas where we think we are strong."

"Msgr. Scott Friend has taught us how to embrace the cross of physical illness with sacrificial love. Not merely enduring the cross of his MS, but embracing it with love," he said.

Msgr. Friend admitted that recently his doctors encouraged him to retire, but he felt differently when he talked to the bishop about this decision.

"I am grateful to him for challenging me, to live my priesthood as he lives his," he said. "It is not always easy, sometimes it comes with pain and sometimes it comes with suffering and it comes with living for something bigger than yourself."