The bishops of the Roman Catholic Church can be thought of as regional managers.

They oversee geographical areas and serve as administrators overseeing dozens of priests.

They also serve as the spiritual leaders of the church in places like the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which covers six counties in Southwest Pennsylvania.

That’s how people have described the job to Bishop Mark Eckman, Pittsburgh’s 13th bishop, who was installed Monday at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland during a special Mass.

Louis B. Ruediger | TribLive Bishop Mark Eckman knocks on the doors at St. Paul Cathedral before his formal installation.  

But Eckman, 66, of Bethel Park, views his vocation differently. He likened serving as bishop to conducting an orchestra, and his job is to lead all parts of the church: priests, parishioners, choir members, youth, retirees, non-believers, marginalized members of society.

The challenge is to make sure all of those voices are heard at the right time and they’re singing the right song in harmony with one another as intended by the composer, Eckman said.

Louis B. Ruediger | TribLive Bishop Mark Eckman, who had served as auxiliary bishop in the Pittsburgh diocese, blesses bishops as he enters the cathedral.  

But instead of performing a piece written by Bach, Beethoven or Mozart, the author is the God worshipped by Catholics as creator of heaven and earth who commands the faithful to love and help one another.

“Each and every one of us needs to practice and practice and practice our faith,” Eckman said as preached from the floor in front of the altar, instead of behind the cathedral’s elevated lectern.

He spoke to more than 2,500 people who filled the cathedral and watched time-honored rites unfold over more than two hours, culminating when Eckman was seated in the cathedra, the throne-like chair that differentiates a cathedral from a parish church because it is the seat of a diocese.

Those who attended included several dozen bishops from across the country, including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio, or church’s ambassador, to the U.S.; Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez; retiring Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik and retired Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who preceded Zubik as Pittsburgh bishop; and scores of other priests who took up the prime seats of the church.

Louis B. Ruediger | TribLive Cardinal Donald Wuerl (left) and retired Bishop David Zubik at St. Paul Cathedral during the installation Mass for Bishop Mark Eckman.  

They also included Archbishop Bernard Hebda, a Brookline native who now lead Catholics in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Hebda has known Eckman since they were both freshman at the former South Hills Catholic High School.

As the installation Mass was planned, Eckman said he asked the priests be given those seats because of the role priests play in the church.

“Priests are the heart and soul of the bishop and the heart and soul of the faithful,” Eckman said.

He pledged to be a leader who would first listen and learn before making decisions.

Louis B. Ruediger | TribLive New Pittsburgh Bishop Mark Eckman greets people at the cathedral.  

He’s also going to live his episcopal motto: “To serve in faith and charity,” and ask that other Pittsburgh Catholics do the same.

“What are you doing to help God’s people?” Eckman said he intends to ask Catholics regularly.

Beyond the dignitaries was Declan Driscoll, 11, of Bethel Park.

He and his family are members of Resurrection Parish in Bethel Park — Eckman’s home parish.

Declan enjoyed watching the seemingly endless procession that started the Mass, he said. He was attentive throughout the service.

“It was really nice,” he said as his family prepared to leave.

It was evident that Eckman is beloved by those who attend the South Hills parish, as they occupied several pews at the cathedral.

“He’s as steady as they come,” said John O’Leary, also of Bethel Park.

Eckman was the celebrant at Donald and Lisa Dorner’s wedding Mass 27 years ago. The Bethel Park couple came to his installation to show their love for him, they said.

Others who attended weren’t Catholic, but were leaders of Pittsburgh’s other Christian denominations, Jewish or Muslim leaders and community officials.

Among the officials was Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor, the Democratic nominee for Pittsburgh mayor. His brother is the Rev. Terrence O’Connor, a Catholic priest who is pastor of Mary Mother of God in McKeesport.

Mon Valley Unemployment Committee Director Barney Oursler isn’t Catholic, but he came because the church is a longtime supporter of organizations like the one he leads, which helps people who lack jobs.

“I’m here because the Catholic Church has long supported people’s struggle for justice,” Oursler said.

Louis B. Ruediger | TribLive Bishop Mark Eckman speaks during his installation ceremony, which was attended by about 2,500 people and packed the cathedral nearly to capacity.   Related:

• New era for Pittsburgh Catholics begins with Bishop Mark Eckman • Bethel Park parish proud to call new Pittsburgh Bishop Mark Eckman their own

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