Pope honors former Southern Nevada clergyman

By Jean Reid Norman

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 | 1:26 p.m.

The Rev. Gregory W. Gordon, founding priest of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Henderson and son of Carole A. Gordon and the late Dr. William F.J. Gordon of Boulder City, was honored by Pope Benedict XVI on May 21.

The honor was a surprise awarded to him at the Papal Nunciature, the Vatican's embassy in Washington, D.C., where he is assigned. Gordon is secretary to the Nuncio, the Vatican's ambassador.

Gordon was invited to come to one of the reception rooms at the Nunciature, where all of the Vatican diplomats and the other collaborators were assembled. The Most Rev. Pietro Sambi, the Nuncio, then presented Gordon with a parchment that had just arrived in the diplomatic pouch from Rome, which stated in Latin that Pope Benedict XVI had just named him one of his honorary chaplains.

The title position, Chaplain to His Holiness, carries with it the title monsignor.

The Most Rev. Joseph A. Pepe, bishop of Las Vegas, announced the honor the same day to all the parishes within the Diocese of Las Vegas.

Gordon said he was humbled by the honor.

"Last Thursday, when His Excellency called me to the Saint Pius X Room by his office, I thought 'What did I do wrong, now?'

"I am very grateful to Bishop Pepe, to Archbishop Sambi and to the Holy Father, for the confidence they have placed in me. And I am grateful to all the faithful, especially those of Saint Francis of Assisi parish, Henderson, and the various parishes where I have served in the Diocese of Las Vegas."

He explained the significance of the honor, saying, "To be a monsignor is to be an honorary chaplain in the Papal Household. To be invested as a monsignor implies and even closer share in the work of the Holy Father. The purple sash and piping on the cassock colorfully symbolize that unity."