More than 1,100 persons crowded Redemptorist Roman Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., March 14, for the consecration of the Very Rev. Barry Howe as Bishop Coadjutor of West Missouri.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop, was the chief consecrator and was one of 26 bishops participating. Co-consecrators were: the Rt. Rev. Arthur A. Vogel, retired Bishop of West Missouri; the Rt. Rev. John C. Buchanan, Bishop of West Missouri; the Rt. Rev. Rogers Harris, retired Bishop of Southwest Florida, and the Rt. Rev. John Lipscomb, Bishop of Southwest Florida. The new bishop's wife, Mary, his son, Matthew, and his daughter, Rebecca, also participated.

Music was furnished by instrumentalists and voices from 17 congregations, including St. Peter's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Fla., where Bishop Howe was dean when he was elected.

"I see my ministry as assisting the Lord's people as they share their gifts and exercise leadership as his servants," Bishop Howe said. "We will attempt to keep our eyes focused on Jesus so we don't lose sight of who we are and whose we are. Then I hope we shall claim the power of the Holy Spirit for servanthood, love, and ministering to the marginalized of our society. Also, I will work to see that we take care of one another so that we can be a missionary community."

Bishop Howe will share responsibilities with the diocesan bishop until Bishop Buchanan retires Dec. 31, 1999.