Pope names Mass. priest auxiliary bishop of Indianapolis - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is getting some help from Pope Benedict XVI. He has appointed Rev. Christopher Coyne of Boston to assist Archbishop Daniel Buechlein in covering his area.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis covers most of the southern half of Indiana, from Indianapolis to the Ohio River. Buechlein says Coyne is the answer to his prayers.

"I am grateful to the Holy Father. I consider this a late Christmas gift," said Buechlein to some laughter.

At 72, Buechlein admits he is tiring. A bout with Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2008 and the subsequent treatment for it has zapped his energy level.

"I am doing okay except I do not have the energy I used to have. Somehow or another chemo seems to take it out of you," he said.

So, for the first time in nearly 80 years, the Pope sent the Indianapolis Diocese an auxiliary bishop from Boston.

"I pledge myself today to the service of God's people in Indianapolis and I hope in time to become a true son of Indiana," said Coyne.

"The one downside I see is that he's been a lifelong Patriots fan," joked Buechlein.

"I was going to wear a hooded sleeveless sweatshirt to the press conference this morning but the boss said no," Coyne replied.

The archbishop will now try to determine what responsibilities the Bishop Designate will be assigned. The Indianapolis Diocese covers 39 counties and 151 parishes.

"There are things he feels he no longer can do but wants to do so it will be a good balance for everyone," said Coyne.

"Bishop-designate Coyne is a young 52, and I'm 72 - looking forward to the energy he will bring helping us carry out our mission," said Buechlein.

"He's pulled in many directions so I am really pleased for the diocese and for Archbishop Daniel and I find Bishop Designate Coyne delightful," said Fr. Rick Gienther.

So now the one-time bartender leaves behind his extended family in New England for a fresh start. It's a relationship born of the church, started by telephone and cemented with a handshake.

Bishop Designate Coyne will be ordained March 2nd at St. John Church in Indianapolis.

Cardinal Law spokesman

The appointment is not without controversy, especially in Boston. That's where Coyne served as the chief spokesman to Cardinal Bernard Law during the abuse scandal there.

Coyne was direct when asked about his role as spokesman during the priest scandals under Cardinal Law.

"I was never asked to defend the indefensible and I never did," he said.

He said Cardinal Law agreed to three things for him to accept the assignment.

"I would never be asked to lie, never be asked to spin and that we would make every effort not to hurt families of the victims," Coyne said.

The 52-year-old Coyne is the first auxiliary bishop since Joseph Ritter, a future cardinal from New Albany who was installed as auxiliary bishop in 1933. He became bishop of Indianapolis on March 24, 1934, and was named archbishop 10 years later.