During farewell Mass, fellow clergy say goodbye to Auxiliary Bishop Arturo Cepeda after 14 years of service in archdiocese
DETROIT — It was a bittersweet liturgy at Sacred Heart Major Seminary on Sep. 9 as clergy gathered to say farewell to their brother in Christ, longtime Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Arturo Cepeda.
After 14 years of faithful service in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Bishop Cepeda will be returning to serve as an auxiliary bishop in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas, Pope Leo XIV announced Aug. 26. Bishop Cepeda, 56, will assist San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS, in leading an archdiocese that spans 19 counties in south-central Texas with a Catholic population of 1.16 million.
In a brief statement to his brother priests at the end of Mass, Bishop Cepeda said he “couldn’t hide his joy” over his summons to return home, but that Detroit had become his home, too.
“Thanks to your ministry and example, you were able to help me build my identity as a bishop, and with your example, also help me understand my mission,” Bishop Cepeda said. “We are all here on mission — that’s what I learned when I came to Detroit — and I believe strongly that we continue joyfully proclaiming this good news, knowing that it's the joy of the Lord. He’s the one who guides us; He’s the one who brings us into His heart so that we can bring His heart to other people. He’s the one who knows us well and calls us. So, we give thanks to God for that.”
Bishop Cepeda also expressed gratitude to Archbishop-emeritus Allen H. Vigneron, whom he said “showed me the way” to carry out his duties as a bishop, and to Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, whom he thanked for his leadership.
Archbishop Weisenburger, in turn, thanked Bishop Cepeda for his years of service, presenting him with the gift of a Pewabic tile depicting Blessed Solanus Casey during a luncheon following Mass.
“As the years move ahead for you, my hope is that not only when you look back will you recognize the blessings you received, but with time, you will recognize perhaps those blessings that were in some ways hidden at the time, but abundant and carried along all the way,” Archbishop Weisenburger said. “I also like to say that anything you can learn, God can put to use. And I think you not only gave a lot to Detroit, but learned a lot here. There will be a great blessing for our brothers and sisters in Christ in San Antonio.”
During Mass, Bishop Cepeda’s friend, Msgr. Chuck Kosanke, gave the homily, addressing Bishop Cepeda’s love for home and his “spirituality of obedience.”
“That has always driven his ministry as a joyful missionary disciple,” Msgr. Kosanke said. “Now, he returns home after 14 years in our wonderfully diverse archdiocese to bring that experience to enrich the Archdiocese of San Antonio from his time here. I know that he cannot contain his joy at going home, but I also hope that he goes with the same missionary zeal that brought him here to continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Fr. Adam Nowak said Bishop Cepeda has made an impact on many of Detroit's priests and deacons, noting that Bishop Cepeda ordained him a deacon in 2018, giving him the “great gift of entry into ministry.”
“Bishop Cepeda has always been more than a bishop,” Fr. Nowak said. “In many ways, he’s been a father, even as a bishop and friend, but always encouraging, always thoughtful in reaching out and supporting his priests throughout the diocese.”
Fr. Nowak said the people of San Antonio should welcome their beloved new bishop with open arms.
“You have a wonderful bishop who loves his people, loves his priests, who will serve without question, with great humility and with a great sense of humor,” Fr. Nowak added.
