The Rev. Liam Cary, who has strong roots in Central Oregon, was named the new bishop of the Bend-based Catholic Diocese of Baker on Thursday.

The 64-year-old Cary, who grew up in Prineville and is currently the parish priest at St. Mary’s Church in Eugene, was appointed to the position by Pope Benedict XVI . He fills the role vacated by Bishop Robert Vasa in January 2011. Vasa now serves as bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California.

The Diocese of Baker includes 31 parishes in 66,800 square miles that cover all of Central and Eastern Oregon. Cary is expected to be ordained as the sixth bishop of the diocese in early May.

A change?

The Rev. James Radloff, the pastor at Bend’s St. Francis of Assisi Church, says every bishop does things a little differently and will require a transition. “All change is hard,” said Radloff.

He wonders if Cary is traditional or more progressive, saying “he’s an unknown.”

Vasa, who served the diocese for more than a decade, was known as a strict conservative. He broke ties with St. Charles Bend in part because the hospital performed procedures such as tubal ligations that did not follow church teachings.

Vasa also required that all Catholics wishing to participate in positions of leadership within the church had to sign documents stating they agreed with the church’s positions on many topics, including opposition to gay relationships, contraceptives and abortions. Such requirements are not common.

St. Francis of Assisi parishioner John Henchman doesn’t know Cary, but says he has a reputation for being “very loving and very pastoral.”

Although Cary is familiar with Central Oregon, he isn’t familiar with all of the issues of the diocese, saying he doesn’t feel prepared to answer questions about the challenges of the diocese “in any real way.” Cary does believe one of his greatest tasks will be getting to “know the people I serve and to get them to know me.”

Jim Parrish, of Crooked River Ranch, who attends St. Thomas Church in Redmond, knew the new bishop about 20 years ago when Cary served as a pastor at Parrish’s church in Salem. Although they did not keep in touch, Parrish says he remembers the man very well. He described Cary as open, friendly and down to earth.

“He was one of those special people,” said Parrish. When Cary listened, he really listened and made you feel “like you were one of the most important people in the world.”

Cary performed the marriage ceremony for Parrish and his wife, Patsy, and also blessed their home. “We never forgot him,” said Parrish.

“He’s extremely understanding, very easy, very approachable,” Parrish said.

‘Even further home’

Cary was appointed pastor at St. Mary’s last year and believed, at that time, he was “coming home.” At one time Cary had worked as a janitor in that church. “Little did I know I would come even further home,” Cary said at a Thursday press conference announcing his appointment. “I am coming home.”

Cary grew up in Prineville and lived in the area until 1973. “Every time I come to Prineville, I think, ‘Why did I leave here?’ ”

Cary was inspired to become a priest when he was 6, thanks to the Rev. Thomas McTeigue, the priest at St. Joseph Church in Prineville. “I wanted to do as he did … and serve God the way he did,” said Cary.

After attending one year of seminary in California, Cary took 18 years off to get experience outside the church. He worked in a legal aid office, studied Spanish, worked at a medical clinic for farmworkers, and painted houses.

He always knew he wanted to be a priest, but that goal kept receding into the future. When he was 41, Cary realized he was ready and re-entered the seminary. Cary studied at Gregorian University and North American College in Rome. He was ordained as a priest in 1992. Cary has served in parishes in Salem, Medford and Eugene.

‘Total surprise’

Radloff is pleased a bishop was named. “It is difficult living without a bishop.” Bishop William Skylstad, who introduced Cary on Thursday, has been serving as administrator for the diocese.

Cary heard about the appointment on Feb. 28. “It is the most humbling experience I ever had,” said Cary. At the press conference, Cary joked, “It is clear this is the will of God because it is not mine.” Leaving Eugene will be difficult, he said. Cary said St. Mary’s is a wonderful parish with wonderful people — and he just got there.

The appointment was also an absolute and “total surprise.” To go from parish priest to bishop of such a vast area is a “very big leap,” said Cary.

Henchman, who is the head of the church’s liturgy committee, is delighted the new bishop has ties to Central Oregon and will understand the culture here.

He said he was “blown away” that Cary went from parish priest to bishop. “Nobody would have guessed that,” said Henchman. He said it was more typical for an auxiliary bishop to be appointed bishop.