By Mark Abrams

BLACKWOOD, N.J. (CBS) — A new leader has taken the reins in the Diocese of Camden.

With clergy public officials and hundreds of faithful looking on, Bishop Dennis Sullivan was installed Tuesday as the new bishop of Camden’s Roman Catholic Diocese during a Mass in St. Agnes Church in Blackwood, New Jersey.

The 67-year-old Sullivan, former vicar general in the New York archdiocese, accepted the staff or crosier and the blessing of his predecessor, now Bishop-emeritus Joseph Galante.

“My prayer is that as your eighth bishop,” Sullivan said, “my ministry among you will be an instrument of the grace of Jesus Christ, every day that I am privileged to serve you.”

Sullivan’s former boss, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, says Camden is receiving a great gift.

“When we give away, in love, what is best within us,” Dolan said. “Jesus did that on the cross, we in the Archdiocese of New York have just done that.”

Also in attendance, were Newark Archbishop John Joseph Myers and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput.

The Camden diocese serves approximately 475,000 Catholics in Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and Camden counties.