Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Show of last respect

By SHERRI DAY
Published November 9, 2006

ADVERTISEMENT Bishop Larkin died Saturday at age 83 Graphic: Details for the bishop [Times files]

ST. PETERSBURG - The crowd at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle thinned Wednesday afternoon leaving two bishops: Bishop W. Thomas Larkin, who lay in state, and Bishop Robert N. Lynch, head of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Catholic ritual calls for someone to stand sentinel beside the body of a deceased bishop. Long ago, Lynch decided that was his job.

"I've known ever since he started to get sick that I wouldn't leave him as long he was in our Cathedral church," said Lynch, who will perform Larkin's funeral Mass today. "It's where I should be. It's a labor of love."

Larkin, a personal friend of Pope John Paul II's and the second bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, died Saturday after a long bout with leukemia. He was 83.

Early Wednesday, Lynch led more than 100 people in the rite of the reception, or the formal welcoming of Larkin's body into the cathedral for the final time.

Mourners looked on as funeral workers removed the top of Larkin's casket to reveal the bishop in his full regalia, including a miter atop his head.

Lynch sprinkled him with holy water and led a procession that placed the casket at the base of the altar.

There was a lone seat atop the altar, signifying Larkin's role in the church. In it, was a miter, or bishop's hat. A crosier, or staff, stood nearby.

Although Larkin retired as bishop in 1988 for health reasons, he was still a presence throughout the diocese, friends and parishioners said.

Those who knew him shared stories about his gentle smile, sense of humor and penchant for telling engaging stories during his homilies.

"I loved his sermons and always felt he was a very special person," said Mary Weimerskirk, who remembers Larkin from his days as pastor of St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Clearwater. "We'll be lost without him."

Naundus Kerr, 72, a registered nurse and funeral home worker, was close to tears as she remembered the bishop.

"Even though he hasn't been active for a while, I'm going to miss him," said Kerr, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Holiday.

After school, Isaac Vicente brought his 7-year-old son, Christian, to see the bishop.

"I just wanted to teach him a little respect and appreciation for what the bishop did," Vicente said.

Although she was aware of the bishop's illness, Connie Marmaro, found Larkin's death surprising.

"You knew it was coming, but yet you didn't expect it to be right away," said Marmaro, who lives in Pinellas Park. "But, he's in a better place."

As each mourner paid respects, Lynch greeted them. He planned to stand there for more than four hours, until the evening prayer service began.

Sherri Day can be reached at (813) 226-3405 or sday@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 9, 2006, 00:47:39]