Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese
of the Roman Catholic Church
in the New England
region of the United States
comprising the counties of Berkshire
, Franklin
, Hampshire
, and Hampden
in the state
of Massachusetts
. It is led by Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell
.
The Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts was canonically erected on June 14, 1870 by Pope Pius IX
. Its territories were taken from the present-day Archdiocese of Boston
.
The Basilica of St. Stanislaus
in Chicopee
is under the circumscription of the diocese.
(CNS) that was posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011:
"The Springfield Diocese has been informed that the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican
's highest tribunal, has upheld the diocese's decision to suppress and close three parishes.
According to a Nov. 10 press release issued by the diocese, the upholding of the parish closings "is a definitive finding which supports the actions of the diocese, thus removing any possibility for their restoration as parishes."
The three parishes in the western Massachusetts diocese involved in the final ruling are: St. Stanislaus Kostka in Adams, Massachusetts
and St. George and St. Patrick in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The decision affirmed merging St. Stanislaus Kostka with Pope John Paul the Great Parish, and St. George and St. Patrick with Holy Name of Jesus
.
It also affirms a ruling made earlier this year by the Vatican Congregation for Clergy that upheld the parish mergers.
In the same action, the press release said, the Vatican court indicated the diocese had not yet provided sufficient cause to use the former churches for nonreligious uses, a similar point made by the Vatican Congregation for Clergy in its decision.
But the diocese said the court's secondary finding does not require that these church buildings be reopened, and does not mandate that they be restored as regular worship sites, since the parishes they were assigned to no longer exist.
"This action simply means they cannot be actively used for any nonreligious purpose. It allows for no use, or a wide range on other nonworship religious uses," the diocesan news release said.
The finding of the Apostolic Signature will be reviewed by diocesan canon lawyers, the release stated, and "discussions will take place with each of the successor parishes and their legitimate consultative bodies as to their recommendations on proceeding."
The release also said: "The diocese intends to pursue this matter following the suggestions given by the court and other options as provided in canon law
. The concern of the diocese remains with regard to the resources needed to keep these and other facilities open. Even limited use might pose a tremendous financial strain on the successor parishes."
Future actions by the diocese may include using the clarification now provided by the Apostolic Signatura to issue a decree stating "the need to reduce the status of the church buildings or alternative uses as permitted."..."
The only other actions available beyond those already pointed out would be to ask the Apostolic Signatura to reexamine its decision or to appeal directly to the Pope, although neither recourse is usually granted. The Signatura, led by American Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke
, is the highest of three final appellate tribunals (courts) of the Vatican. It hears appeals of all other diocesan or archdiocesan court cases that have exhausted other appeals having to do with actual legal disputes (only procedural matters are on trial here), arguments between Vatican agencies, matters given to it by the Pope, or appeals for reversal of a decision from the other two courts (the Roman Rota, which deals mainly with nullity of marriages, or the Apostolic Penitentiary
, which deals mainly with appeals of complex matters involving the forgiveness of sins).
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...
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...
in the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
region of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comprising the counties of Berkshire
Berkshire County, Massachusetts
Berkshire County is a non-governmental county located on the western edge of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of the 2010 census, the population was 131,219. Its largest city and traditional county seat is Pittsfield...
, Franklin
Franklin County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, Hampshire
Hampshire County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 152,251 people, 55,991 households, and 33,818 families residing in the county. The population density was 288 people per square mile . There were 58,644 housing units at an average density of 111 per square mile...
, and Hampden
Hampden County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2004, there were 461,228 people, 175,288 households, and 115,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 738 people per square mile . There were 185,876 housing units at an average density of 301 per square mile...
in the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. It is led by Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell
Timothy A. McDonnell
-External links:*...
.
The Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts was canonically erected on June 14, 1870 by Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
. Its territories were taken from the present-day Archdiocese of Boston
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States. It comprises several counties of the state of Massachusetts...
.
The Basilica of St. Stanislaus
Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Chicopee
The Basilica of St. Stanislaus is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Stanislaus of Szczepanów located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The church is under the circumscription of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts and serves St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's Parish. ...
in Chicopee
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Chicopee is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States of America. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 55,298, making it the second largest city in...
is under the circumscription of the diocese.
Suppression and closure of parishes
In an online news brief by the Catholic News ServiceCatholic News Service
Catholic News Service is an American news agency covering the Roman Catholic Church. CNS was established in 1920 and is a leading source of news for Catholic print and broadcast media throughout the world....
(CNS) that was posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011:
"The Springfield Diocese has been informed that the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
's highest tribunal, has upheld the diocese's decision to suppress and close three parishes.
According to a Nov. 10 press release issued by the diocese, the upholding of the parish closings "is a definitive finding which supports the actions of the diocese, thus removing any possibility for their restoration as parishes."
The three parishes in the western Massachusetts diocese involved in the final ruling are: St. Stanislaus Kostka in Adams, Massachusetts
Adams, Massachusetts
Adams is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 8,485 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and St. George and St. Patrick in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The decision affirmed merging St. Stanislaus Kostka with Pope John Paul the Great Parish, and St. George and St. Patrick with Holy Name of Jesus
Holy Name of Jesus
In Christianity, the Holy Name of Jesus refers to the theological and devotional use of the name of Jesus. The reverence and affection with which Christians have regarded the Holy Name of Jesus goes back to the earliest days of Christianity....
.
It also affirms a ruling made earlier this year by the Vatican Congregation for Clergy that upheld the parish mergers.
In the same action, the press release said, the Vatican court indicated the diocese had not yet provided sufficient cause to use the former churches for nonreligious uses, a similar point made by the Vatican Congregation for Clergy in its decision.
But the diocese said the court's secondary finding does not require that these church buildings be reopened, and does not mandate that they be restored as regular worship sites, since the parishes they were assigned to no longer exist.
"This action simply means they cannot be actively used for any nonreligious purpose. It allows for no use, or a wide range on other nonworship religious uses," the diocesan news release said.
The finding of the Apostolic Signature will be reviewed by diocesan canon lawyers, the release stated, and "discussions will take place with each of the successor parishes and their legitimate consultative bodies as to their recommendations on proceeding."
The release also said: "The diocese intends to pursue this matter following the suggestions given by the court and other options as provided in canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
. The concern of the diocese remains with regard to the resources needed to keep these and other facilities open. Even limited use might pose a tremendous financial strain on the successor parishes."
Future actions by the diocese may include using the clarification now provided by the Apostolic Signatura to issue a decree stating "the need to reduce the status of the church buildings or alternative uses as permitted."..."
The only other actions available beyond those already pointed out would be to ask the Apostolic Signatura to reexamine its decision or to appeal directly to the Pope, although neither recourse is usually granted. The Signatura, led by American Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke
Raymond Leo Burke
Raymond Leo Burke is an American Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. He is the current Cardinal Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, having previously served as Archbishop of St...
, is the highest of three final appellate tribunals (courts) of the Vatican. It hears appeals of all other diocesan or archdiocesan court cases that have exhausted other appeals having to do with actual legal disputes (only procedural matters are on trial here), arguments between Vatican agencies, matters given to it by the Pope, or appeals for reversal of a decision from the other two courts (the Roman Rota, which deals mainly with nullity of marriages, or the Apostolic Penitentiary
Apostolic Penitentiary
The Apostolic Penitentiary, formerly called the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, is one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia. The Apostolic Penitentiary is chiefly a tribunal of mercy, responsible for issues relating to the forgiveness of sins in the Catholic Church.The...
, which deals mainly with appeals of complex matters involving the forgiveness of sins).
Bishops
- Patrick Thomas O'ReillyPatrick Thomas O'ReillyPatrick Thomas O'Reilly was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts ....
(1870-1892, Died) - Thomas Daniel BeavenThomas Daniel BeavenThomas Daniel Beaven was the second Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts .Beaven was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and received his early education there...
(1892-1920, Died) - Thomas Michael O'LearyThomas Michael O'LearyThomas Michael O'Leary was the third Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts .The third of seven children, O'Leary was born in Dover, New Hampshire, to Michael and Margaret O'Leary...
(1921-1949, Died) - Christopher Joseph WeldonChristopher Joseph WeldonChristopher Joseph Weldon was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts from 1950 to 1977.-Biography:...
(1950-1977, Retired) - Joseph Francis MaguireJoseph Francis Maguire-External links:**...
(1977-1992, Retired) - John Aloysius MarshallJohn Aloysius MarshallJohn Aloysius Marshall was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Burlington, Vermont and Bishop of Springfield, Massachusetts .-Biography:...
(1992-1994, Died) - Thomas Ludger DupréThomas Ludger DupréThomas Ludger Dupré is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts from 1995 to 2004.-Biography:...
(1995-2004, Resigned) - Timothy Anthony McDonnell (2004-present)
High schools
- Cathedral High SchoolCathedral High School (Springfield, Massachusetts)Cathedral High School is a Catholic co-educational college-preparatory High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Opened in 1883 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph at the diocese's Saint Michael's Cathedral, its current facility has been at 260 Surrey Road since 1959 in one of the city's residential...
, Springfield - Holyoke Catholic High SchoolHolyoke Catholic High SchoolHolyoke Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Chicopee, Massachusetts, USA. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts.-Background:...
, Chicopee - Saint Mary High SchoolSaint Mary High School (Westfield, Massachusetts)Saint Mary High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Westfield, Massachusetts. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts....
, Westfield - St. Joseph Central High SchoolSt. Joseph Central High School (Pittsfield, Massachusetts)Saint Joseph Central High School is a private, college preparatory, Roman Catholic high school in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Saint Joseph offers a co-educational intensive college preparatory curriculum to students in grades 9 through 12. SJCHS has a strong international student community, but...
, Pittsfield