The former bishop of Wichita, Kan., led a prayer vigil outside an abortion site Dec. 24 and celebrated Mass in a prison Christmas Day. Bishop Olmsted, who turns 57 on Jan. 21, is a former educator and expert on canon law.

He spoke to Register correspondent Philip Moore about coming to a diocese still coping with fallout from sexual-misconduct accusations as well as the resignation of Bishop Thomas 'Brien following his arrest in a fatal hit-and-run accident.

You've said you started out in a small town, attending a one-room schoolhouse. What took you from there to the priesthood?

The Holy Spirit did. From childhood I felt drawn to be a priest.

Was there anyone who influenced you toward the priesthood?

My family, first of all. I was raised in a family where praying was as natural as breathing. We went to Mass each week and on holy days went to confession regularly and said the rosary. I didn't have to learn to pray, since praying was something we always did.

You wanted to be a parish priest, but your career went another direction, leading you to study at the North American College in Rome and receiving a doctor of Church law degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University. What happened?

Obedience is what happened. Before you're ordained a deacon, you promise respect for your bishop.

My bishop wanted me to get further education. I tried to argue with him, but he said there was a need for me to study further for the benefit of the Church.

Before you became bishop of Wichita, you were rector and president of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Coming from an academic career to become bishop of a largely rural diocese, were you given any special instructions?

When you're chosen as bishop, you're just told that the Holy Spirit calls you to this work. There's usually nothing more said than that.

So I assume that means you didn't get any special instructions with your appointment to be bishop of Phoenix.

No.

It had to be a surprise. You were at your home diocese for only four and a half years.

The time seemed to go very quickly. They were four and a half eventful years.

Any regrets at leaving so soon?

It's God's will, and that's the only thing that matters to me. I'm looking forward to what's ahead and eager to do what God wills me to do.

Phoenix has to be a special challenge. It's the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States and has had difficulties, especially leading up to and including the resignation of Bishop 'Brien.

I really don't know the situation that well. First, I want to get to know the priests, since they are my closest collaborators. Then I'll be looking into the pastoral needs of the diocese. I have a lot to learn and a lot of listening to do.

Shortly before the tragedy that led to his resignation, Bishop 'Brien signed a consent agreement with the Maricopa County district attorney's office agreeing to county oversight of the diocese's process for handling accusations of sexual misconduct by clergy and religious. Will you be bound by that agreement?

I'll be looking into three areas in Phoenix: to teach, to sanctify and to govern. The [Maricopa County consent agreement] comes under the category “to govern.” I'll be meeting with the [diocesan] staff in the next few weeks to prioritize the one thousand one things I need to address. That will be one of them, but I'll have to wait until then to consider it.

Your time in Wichita has been marked by a commitment to draw in a wide spectrum of public comment and participation. Has that worked out well for you?

We had a diocesan synod in 2002. That's an important time to look at the riches and needs of the diocese and its parishes. They gather in prayer and reflection and present a list of diocese priorities for the next several years. Once that is finished, they present the priorities and needs to the parishes and families of the diocese. I have been trying to help the parish councils to come to greater participation and vitality in implementing the wishes of the synod.

You most certainly will in Phoenix. Do you have a plan?

I need to get used to the scene there before offering a perspective on that. Mostly I'd say my concern is focusing on the families of the diocese. It's families who are the bread and butter of the local Church.

Overall, what do you want to see grow in the Diocese of Phoenix?

For me, the most important thing is that we're aiming for holiness. If there were a pastoral plan that I plan to follow, it would be the one given by Pope John Paul II in [the 1999 apostolic exhortation] Ecclesia in America. He calls the Church in America to evangelization and holiness, and through the Church, he calls us all to holiness in our families and our lives. That's the overall thing I would hope to keep in the back of my mind as I respond to the pastoral challenges and needs there.

Is there anything you are hoping for?

I welcome the prayers of the people as I make the transition. I always was aware of the need for prayer, but I feel it especially as I focus on the challenges ahead.