The new bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, serving all of Vermont, will be formally installed today, today’s Journal-Opinion reports.

The Episcopal Ordination and Installation Mass of The Most Reverend John Joseph McDermott will take place today at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Burlington.

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Boston, will lead the ceremony. Two of McDermott’s predecessors, Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne, Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut and Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, Diocese of Rochester, New York, will attend.

Most Reverend McDermott, upon being named the 11th bishop of Burlington, expressed a combination of surprise and relief in an interview on VermontCatholic.org. He did not expect to be named a bishop, especially for his own diocese. The familiarity he has with every aspect of diocesan life in Vermont gives him an advantage, as he doesn’t have a steep learning curve like an out-of-state bishop. However, he acknowledges the challenge of not looking at things with fresh eyes and remaining open to different perspectives. He attributes his preparedness for this new leadership role to the prayers and support of many priests, deacons, religious, and laity throughout his 35 years as a priest.

Describing his leadership style as collaborative and encouraging, Bishop McDermott aims to empower people to do their jobs well. He recognizes the talents and capabilities of his diocesan staff and intends to provide a strong vision and direction, allowing them to excel in their respective roles. His top priority as bishop is to make Christ known, which influences all areas of diocesan life, including pastoral, liturgical, and educational aspects.

In terms of challenges faced by the diocese, Bishop McDermott believes that many people, even within the Catholic population, have yet to personally know Jesus and experience the transformative power of this relationship. He sees this as an opportunity for the diocese to serve as a catalyst for encountering Jesus and aims to foster more vibrant parishes, beautiful liturgies, and successful pastoral endeavors through this focus.