A Great Communicator

Bishop-elect Roberts C. Evans is revered for his ability to connect with the faithful of St. Philip's Parish

Despite all the activity, Auxiliary Bishop-elect Robert C. Evans always has a firm handshake and a warm smile for parishioners as they greet him on the way into and out of Mass.

In his role as pastor at St. Philip’s Church, Bishop-elect Evans is revered for his ability to connect with his congregation.Young and old, parishioners gather around their pastor seeking his advice and wisdom, or simply sharing a laugh with their shepherd, whom they regard as extremely personable and accessible.

“He’s a guy I can really talk to, he’s excellent,” says Gil Bashaw, who has been a parishioner at St. Philip’s since 1960.

But Bashaw, like some in the congregation, fears that the bishop-elect could become a victim of his own success.

While Bishop-elect Evans, 62, has told his flock that he intends to remain at St. Philip’s for the “foreseeable future,” Bashaw feels that his new duties may carry him elsewhere in the coming months, after he is ordained.

“I fear it will take him away from here,” Bashaw says of the bishop-elect’s new role.

Angelo Rotella was friendly with the bishop-elect when the two were youngsters growing up on Federal Hill.

“He’s a great guy. We always pitched baseball cards together when we were kids,” says Rotella, who’s happy to have him now as his pastor. It’s given them a chance to reconnect their friendship.

The fact that Bishop-elect Evans chose to follow a priestly path does not surprise Rotella, who remembers him as a faithful servant and altar boy when they were kids.

“He was always headed toward being a priest,” he says. “He was very much interested in the church.”

After attending Providence public schools and graduating from Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School in 1965, the bishop-elect received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Our Lady of Providence College Seminary in Warwick in 1969.

He then was assigned to the Pontifical North American College in Rome by the Most Rev. Russell J. McVinney and where he received a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology, followed by a master’s in theology.

Following his ordination at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in 1973, Bishop-elect Evans received his first assignment as assistant pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Westerly.

He would later return to Rome to obtain degrees in canon law, and would even work at the Apostolic Nunciature — the Vatican’s embassy — in Washington, D.C. from 2005-2007 as secretary, taking an oath of secrecy as to the duties that are carried out in the position.

Angelo’s wife, Kristina, says she finds Bishop-elect Evans to be a very learned man in the teachings of the church, and a source of strength for her and her husband.

“He’s been a great guide for us. He has an authority about him that is very strong in the way that he comes across. He’s very reassuring,” Kristina says.

Tracy Brouillard shares Kristina Rotella’s assessment of their pastor.

“He is very solid in Church teaching,” Brouillard says. “He is a true spiritual leader.”

Rebecca and Steven Tillinghast watch with pride each week as their children take active roles in the Mass as altar servers.

At the Ordination of Bishop-elect Evans, their daughter Caroline, 15, will have the honor of carrying the crozier for him.

“We’re very excited, he’s a wonderful man,” says Rebecca. “I feel really blessed to be here in this parish.”

Kathleen Sabetti, the parish’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults coordinator, praises the bishop-elect’s positive and welcoming demeanor.

“I think it’s wonderful. He’s very well suited to the part. He’s a very humble man. It’s nice to see someone like him raised to the position.”

Seminarian Tim Wahl says he is continually inspired by the energy of Bishop-elect Evans as he watches him interact with the people of the parish.

“He’s a very good role model for me,” says Wahl.

Deacon Carlo Sabetti has served with the bishop-elect each week since he was posted to St. Philip’s in 2007.

He feels the bishop-elect posseses many admirable qualities that one likes to see in their leaders.

“He’s fair, he’s honest, he knows the Church very well, and he’s very approachable,” Deacon Sabetti says.

St. Philip’s associate pastor, Father Jeremy Rodrigues, has been working with the bishop-elect since he was assigned to the parish this past summer.

“He’s been a very good mentor,” Father Rodrigues says. “You couldn’t ask for a better priest.”

Photos: Rick Snizek