Archbishop Donoghue was joined by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the U.S., and Bishop John J. Snyder of St. Augustine, Fla., the diocese where Bishop Baker has served since his ordination to the priesthood in 1970. Archbishop Donoghue was the principal consecrator for the Mass of Ordination because he serves as the metropolitan archbishop for the province, which consists of the Dioceses of Charleston, Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., Savannah and Atlanta.
Provinces are a territorial grouping of two or more dioceses and have a collegial relationship.
Each bishop maintains supreme authority over his own diocese or archdiocese. During the Mass of Ordination, Archbishop Donoghue told the congregation that the Holy Spirit called Bishop Baker by name. And the name called today is Robert, chosen of the Spirit, raised by the same hand who raised up St. Peter, and made this day, the twelfth bishop of Charleston, the faithful daughter of Rome, and the Church of Jesus Christ, and the home of many who are proud on this joyful day to say, with their new Bishop, I am Catholic. The archbishop told the congregation of the need for cooperation between Charleston's new shepherd and the members of his flock. Archbishop Donoghue told those in attendance to stay close to the truth that is heard and heeded by all who are truly of the Church.