Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Flannery O’Connor once remarked, “When in Rome, do as you done in Milledgeville.” Milledgeville was the small rural town in central Georgia where O’Connor spent most of her life. This contrast underscores her ironic twist on the old adage. When in Rome, she seems to be saying, do not cease to be yourself or forget your origins.

The classic version of the proverb—"when in Rome, do as the Romans do"—also holds wisdom. The origin of this saying is a letter from St. Ambrose encouraging St. Augustine to fast on the same days as the Romans when he finds himself in Rome, even if his usual custom differs. Adapting to new customs and traditions can promote social harmony and broaden one’s understanding of the world.

Having spent nine of the last 12 years living in Rome, both versions of this saying resonate with me. Like many priests and seminarians from around the world, I was sent to Rome for study. After completing general theology requirements, Bishop Conley asked me to pursue degrees in Patristics and Canon Law. After 26 years of education, I am ready to begin my work back home.

My academic pursuits were instructive and will hopefully benefit our diocese. However, experiencing the breadth of the Universal Church in Rome was equally enriching. During three years living with 30 other young priests from diverse backgrounds, I learned much about how the Church functions globally. European priests shared struggles with a shrinking Church; African priests discussed managing rapid growth; some came from regions where Christianity faces persecution.

Now that my studies are complete, Bishop Conley has assigned me as a formator and teacher at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward. People often ask what I will miss about Rome now that I am returning to Nebraska. Beyond architecture and cuisine, I will miss Rome's juxtaposition between beauty and decay—a microcosm reflecting humanity’s full spectrum.

An incident captures this sentiment: standing on an old bridge over the Tiber River at sunset with Michaelangelo’s cupola of St. Peter’s visible, an Italian woman parked nearby while talking on her cell phone. She retrieved a bag from her trunk and threw it into the river before driving away—all against a backdrop of serene grandeur.

I am grateful for my time in Rome but remain fundamentally American—a Nebraskan who prefers traditional football over soccer (or "football"). Returning home allows me to serve within my diocese where my faith began.

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