The Rev. Keith Bernard Whitmore was ordained, consecrated and enthroned as the fifth Bishop of Eau Claire, in Christ Church Cathedral, Eau Claire, Wis., April 10.

Amid family, friends and people of the diocese, who packed the cathedral or sat in several overflow seating areas, Bishop Whitmore received the laying on of hands by the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop, as chief consecrator. The Rt. Rev. William C. Wantland, fourth Bishop of Eau Claire, the Rt. Rev. Roger J. White, Bishop of Milwaukee, the Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus, Bishop of Fond du Lac, and the Rt. Rev. Vernon E. Strickland, Bishop of Western Kansas, were co-consecrators. Several other bishops assisted.

A special guest was the Rt. Rev. Bernard Heitz, Bishop of the Old Catholic Diocese of Austria, who stood in for the Rt. Rev. Joachim Vobbe, Bishop of the Old Catholic Diocese of Germany, who was ill. The Old Catholic Diocese of Germany and the Diocese of Eau Claire have shared a companion relationship since 1996.

In his sermon, the Rt. Rev. William W. Wiedrich, retired Bishop Suffragan of Chicago, told about-to-become Bishop Whitmore of the power that he was about to experience, a power that he should not resist. A "quiet breath" and a "mighty wind", he called it. "Expel the old breath ... and let your body be filled with what is new and strong and holy. Breathe deeply from God's breath again and again."

Beyond inviting everybody in the diocese to attend the consecration, Bishop Whitmore had many of his people participating. The deacons, diocesan choir, acolytes, ushers and oblation bearers came from churches around the diocese.

After the Eucharist, everyone was invited to join in a procession through several blocks of city streets. Behind a police escort, bagpipers led the way, followed by a crucifer and flag-bearers. Bishop Whitmore, his wife, Suzanne, and Bishop Griswold rode in style in a 1948 Oldsmobile 98 convertible.