George William Coleman
Encyclopedia
George William Coleman is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
, who currently serves as Bishop of Fall River
.
, Massachusetts
; he has one sister, Eileen. Raised in Somerset
, he attended Village Elementary School and graduated from Monsignor James Coyle High School
in Taunton
in 1957. Coleman, after studying at College of the Holy Cross
in Worcester
, entered St. John's Seminary
in Brighton and the Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome
, from where he obtained a doctorate in theology
. Whilst in Rome, he was ordained
to the priesthood
by Bishop Francis Reh
on December 16, 1964.
Upon returning to the United States
, Coleman served as associate pastor
of St. Kilian's Church in New Bedford
until 1967. He ministered at St. Louis Church in Fall River (1967-1972) and at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville
(1972-1977) before becoming director of the Diocesan
Department
of Education
. In 1982, he assumed the additional post of pastor of his native St. Patrick's Church in Fall River. From 1985 to 1994, Coleman was pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Sandwich
, concurrently serving as dean
of the Cape and Islands
Deanery
from 1990 to 1994.
In 1994, he was made vicar general
and curial
moderator
of Fall River by Bishop Seán Patrick O'Malley, OFM Cap
, and raised to the rank of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness
by Pope John Paul II
. Coleman, following Bishop O'Malley's nomination as Bishop of Palm Beach
, was chosen to serve as temporary administrator of the diocese in 2002.
On April 30, 2003, he was appointed to succeed Bishop O'Malley as the seventh Bishop of Fall River
by John Paul II. Coleman received his episcopal consecration
on the following July 22 from Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo Higuera
, with Archbishop Daniel Cronin
and Bishop O'Malley serving as co-consecrators
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, who currently serves as Bishop of Fall River
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States. It is led by the prelature of a bishop administering the diocese from the mother church St...
.
Biography
George Coleman was born to George and Beatrice (née Shea) Coleman in Fall RiverFall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
; he has one sister, Eileen. Raised in Somerset
Somerset, Massachusetts
Somerset is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,234 at the 2000 census. It is the birthplace and hometown of Clifford Milburn Holland , the chief engineer and namesake of the Holland Tunnel in New York City....
, he attended Village Elementary School and graduated from Monsignor James Coyle High School
Coyle and Cassidy High School
"Coyle-Cassidy High School" redirects hereCoyle and Cassidy High School, often referred to as simply Coyle, is a private, Catholic Diocesan high school located in Taunton, Massachusetts, USA. The school bases its teachings in which the Christian philosophy of life is modeled...
in Taunton
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
in 1957. Coleman, after studying at College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
in Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, entered St. John's Seminary
St. John's Seminary (Massachusetts)
Saint John's Seminary, located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, is a Catholic major seminary sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston....
in Brighton and the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, from where he obtained a doctorate in theology
Doctor of Sacred Theology
The Doctor of Sacred Theology is the final theological degree in the pontifical university system of the Catholic Church....
. Whilst in Rome, he was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Bishop Francis Reh
Francis Frederick Reh
Francis Frederick Reh was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Charleston , rector of the Pontifical North American College , and Bishop of Saginaw ....
on December 16, 1964.
Upon returning to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Coleman served as associate pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
of St. Kilian's Church in New Bedford
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
until 1967. He ministered at St. Louis Church in Fall River (1967-1972) and at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville
Centerville, Massachusetts
Centerville is a village in the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Located on the south side of Barnstable, Centerville is primarily residential, includes a small business district, notable beaches, and a school . Centerville contains the neighborhood of Craigville, which includes...
(1972-1977) before becoming director of the Diocesan
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
Department
Curia (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholicism, a curia consists of a group of officials who assist in the governance of a particular Church. These curias range from the relatively simple diocesan curia, to the larger patriarchal curias, to the Roman Curia, which is the central government of the Catholic Church.Other...
of Education
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
. In 1982, he assumed the additional post of pastor of his native St. Patrick's Church in Fall River. From 1985 to 1994, Coleman was pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Sandwich
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Sandwich is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,675 at the 2010 census. The Town Hall is located right next to the Dexter Grist Mill, in the historic district of town....
, concurrently serving as dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of the Cape and Islands
Cape Cod and Islands
Cape Cod and the Islands is a common local name for the area of southeast Massachusetts including Barnstable , Dukes , and Nantucket Counties, and by some definitions including part or all of the towns of Plymouth and Wareham...
Deanery
Deanery
A Deanery is an ecclesiastical entity in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. A deanery is either the jurisdiction or residence of a Dean.- Catholic usage :...
from 1990 to 1994.
In 1994, he was made vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
and curial
Curia (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholicism, a curia consists of a group of officials who assist in the governance of a particular Church. These curias range from the relatively simple diocesan curia, to the larger patriarchal curias, to the Roman Curia, which is the central government of the Catholic Church.Other...
moderator
Team of priests in solidum
In 1983 the Catholic Church introduced the possibility of entrusting the pastoral care, of one or more parishes to a team of priests in solidum. This provision in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which resembles ancient models of pastoral care in the Roman tituli churches with their colleges of priests,...
of Fall River by Bishop Seán Patrick O'Malley, OFM Cap
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
, and raised to the rank of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. Coleman, following Bishop O'Malley's nomination as Bishop of Palm Beach
Roman Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach is a Roman Catholic diocese in Florida. It was founded on June 16, 1984.The past bishops of the diocese are:#Thomas Vose Daily #Joseph Keith Symons...
, was chosen to serve as temporary administrator of the diocese in 2002.
On April 30, 2003, he was appointed to succeed Bishop O'Malley as the seventh Bishop of Fall River
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States. It is led by the prelature of a bishop administering the diocese from the mother church St...
by John Paul II. Coleman received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on the following July 22 from Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo Higuera
Gabriel Montalvo Higuera
Gabriel Montalvo Higuera was born in Bogotá, Colombia. He was an archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, and was the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States from 1998 until 2005.- Ministry and Assignments:...
, with Archbishop Daniel Cronin
Daniel Anthony Cronin
Daniel Anthony Cronin is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Fall River from 1970 to 1992, and Archbishop of Hartford from 1992 to 2003.-Early life and priesthood:...
and Bishop O'Malley serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
.