Flanked by chaplains, the Most Reverend George A Hammes left Sawyer auditorium in La Crosse Tuesday afternoon after his consecration as bishop of the Roman Catholic church. He became the eighth bishop of the Superior (Wisconsin) diocese, the spiritual leader of more than 77,000 Catholics. The new bishop carried a crosier or staff and wore a miter, symbols of his office. The words "Pax Christi" on the sign in the background mean "peace of Christ,' the motto of the new bishop's coat of arms. Bishop Hammes, 48, was born at Saint Joseph's Ridge in La Crosse county. He formally was chancellor of the La Crosse diocese. He will be installed as bishop of Superior June 7 in Christ the King cathedral there. La Crosse

Photo is dated 1960.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.