The installation today of Archbishop George J. Lucas as head of northeast Nebraska's 220,000-member Roman Catholic church is replete with ancient church rites and symbols. And they're not just for show. Under church law, Lucas isn't really in charge until former Omaha Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss and Pietro Sambi, the pope's apostolic nuncio to the United States, hand Lucas a crosier and he takes the archbishop's chair at St. Cecilia's Cathedral.
Crosier
This shepherd's staff, used by Omaha prelates for more than a half-century, symbolizes the archbishop's duty and authority to lead and protect the faithful.
Mitre
A folding cap worn by Catholic bishops since the early days of the church.
Knocker
A modern, local flair for a theatrical old church practice. An Omaha woodworker carved it for Lucas to bang on the cathedral doors, symbolically requesting admission.
Coat of arms
A heraldic telling of Archbishop George Lucas' history and that of the Omaha Archdiocese, the latter symbolized by a black cross over green farm fields and the wavy Missouri River.
Compiled by World-Herald staff writer Christopher Burbach.
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