St. Paul Cathedral was packed yesterday as Monsignor Edward Burns, who has spent his priesthood calling others to serve God as priests or sisters, was ordained a bishop.

On April 2 he will be installed as bishop of Juneau, Alaska. The rituals were split so his friends in the lower 48 could celebrate with the 51-year-old bishop.

"When Jesus called the apostles, he sent them to the ends of the earth. I would be equally honored to go to the ends of this country to fulfill the role of the apostles," Bishop Burns said.

"I am feeling the effects of all the people who have been praying for me. I feel peace and courage and confidence and trust and a great spirit of gratitude."

Fifteen bishops and archbishops, a cardinal and more than 200 priests attended. The Rev. James Chepponis, a Pittsburgh priest and composer, wrote a hymn for the occasion based on the new bishop's motto: "Pray with confidence."

Among the symbols on his coat of arms was a fishing net, symbolizing a key occupation in his new diocese, Jesus' call to evangelize and a DVD, "Fishers of Men," that he produced during his 10-year tenure as director of the U.S. bishops' office for vocations. He returned to Pittsburgh last summer as rector of St. Paul Seminary in East Carnegie.

He was ordained by Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh, with Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. -- the former bishop of Pittsburgh -- and Archbishop Roger Schwietz of Anchorage, Alaska, as co-ordainers.

Bishop Zubik, a close friend, spoke of Bishop Burns' joy and enthusiasm. "We love Jesus more and we love the church more because Ed Burns touched our souls," he said.