Five from Salt Lake diocese honored by Church

SALT LAKE CITY — Five men from the Diocese of Salt Lake City have been notified that they will receive special honors in March. The celebration honoring them will be related to the celebration of the centennial of the dedication of the Cathedral. The announcement of the honors was made Jan. 13 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

Congratulations were given to Deacon Silvio Mayo, who has been named the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice papal honor.

Congratulations are also due Fathers Colin F. Bircumshaw, Joseph M. Mayo, Terence M. Moore, and Matthew O. Wixted, who have been named Prelates of Honor to his Holiness, with the title of Monsignor.

According to Wikepedia, the Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is an award of the Roman Catholic Church. The English translation of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is "For Church and Pope," and is also known as the "Cross of Honor." The medal was established by Pope Leo XIII on July 17 1888 to commemorate his golden sacerdotal jubilee and was originally bestowed on those women and men who had aided and promoted the jubilee, and by other means assisted in making the jubilee and the Vatican Exposition successful. It is currently given for distinguished service to the church by lay people and clergy. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Papacy.

The medal may be cast in gold, silver, or bronze. On the medal is a cross made octangular by fleurs-de-lis fixed in the angles of the cross. The arms of the cross narrow toward the center, with slightly indented ends, approaching the form of the patonce cross. In the center of the cross is a small medal with the image of Pope Leo XIII, the words Leo XIII P. M. anno X (tenth year of his pontificate) circle the image. In the center of the reverse side are the papal emblems. In the circle surrounding the emblems the motto "Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice" (for Church and Pope) is stamped. On the obverse side of the medal, the branches of the cross are comets, which, with the fleurs-de-lis, form the coat of arms of the Pecci family. On the reverse side the words, PRIDIE are stamped on the left branch; KAL on the top branch; JANUAR on the right branch; and 1888 at the foot of the cross. The medal’s ribbon is purple, with delicate lines of white and yellow on each border and is worn on the right side of breast.

As early as the 14th century it was the custom to address persons high in rank or power with the title Monseigneur or Monsignore, according to the "Catholic Encyclopedia." In the intercourse of seculars, either of equals or of superiors with inferiors, there was no fixed rule. Until the 17th century French nobles demanded from their subjects and dependents the title of Monseigneur. In international intercourse two titles gradually won general recognition, "Monsieur" as the title of the eldest brother of the King of France (if not heir presumptive) and "Monseigneur" for the Dauphin, or eldest son of the French king, who was also the crown prince, or for whatever male member of the family was recognized as heir presumptive to the throne.

At present the title is no longer borne by other persons of civil rank, and, so far as the author of this article is aware, no one else lays claim to it. Among ecclesiastics the title Monsignore implies simply a distinction bestowed by the highest ecclesiastical authority, either in conjunction with an office or merely titular. In any case it bears with it a certain prescribed dress. To counteract a widely spread misconception we may state here that the pope does not bestow the title Monsignore, but a distinction of some sort to which this title is attached. Accordingly it is quite incorrect to say that any one has been appointed a Monsignor by the pope. If we may be permitted to use a comparison, Monsignor in the spiritual order corresponds to the word officer in the military. The highest general and the youngest lieutenant are equally officers, and the most venerable patriarch bears the title Monsignor as well as the simplest honorary chaplain. Thus among prelates, both higher and lower, it is no badge of distinction except as it denotes in a very general way an elevation above the ranks of the clergy. Those only bear the title of Monsignor, who are familiares summi pontificis, those who, by virtue of some distinction bestowed upon them, belong as it were to the family and the retinue of the Holy Father. These familiares are entitled to be present in the cappella pontificia (when the pope celebrates solemn Mass), and to participate in all public celebrations purely religious or ecclesiastical in character, at which the pope, the cardinals, and the papal retinue assist. It is assumed that they will appear in the robes corresponding to their respective offices.

Up to 1630, when Urban VIII reserved the title Eminence (Eminentissimus) for the exclusive use of cardinals, the latter bore the title of Monsignor in common with the other prelates of high rank, and in France it is still customary to address a cardinal as Monseigneur. In all other languages this usage has completely disappeared, so that, practically speaking, cardinals are no longer counted among the Monsignori. All other prelates, from patriarchs down, who have received a papal distinction or are archbishops, bishops, or mitred abbots (among the secular clergy only), have a right to this title. The fact that it lapsed in usage in many countries, so far as these are concerned, does not affect the question. Instead of addressing patriarchs as "Vostra Beatitudine," archbishops as "Your Grace," bishops as "My Lord," abbots as "Gracious Lord" one may without any breach of etiquette salute all equally as Monsignor.

Deacon Silvio Mayo was a member of the first class of deacons ordained in 1976. He was named chancellor of the diocese in 1984, taking over the position in 1985.

Fr. Colin Bircumshaw is pastor of St. Ann Parish and director of the Diocesan Office of Vocations. A native of Utah, Fr. Bircumshaw was ordained May 30, 1975, in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Among other schools, Fr. Bircumshaw attended the Pontifical College Josephinum, returning there from 1983-1986 as vice rector.

Fr Joseph M. Mayo is pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine Parish. A native of Utah, Fr. Mayo was ordained Nov. 23, 1973. He attended St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, and Mount Angel Seminary, Oregon, from 1969-1973.

Fr. Terence M. Moore is pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Draper. A native of Mountaellick, Ireland, Fr. Moore was ordained for the Diocese of Salt Lake City June 10, 1967. He was incardinated to this diocese in June, 1963.

Fr. Matthew O. Wixted is retired. His last assignment was as pastor of St. Marguerite Parish, Tooele. A native of Drombane Thurles, County Tipp Eire, Ireland. He was ordained June 10, 1962, and arrived in the Diocese of Salt Lake City Sept. 1, 1962.