Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown: Difference between revisions
Manannan67 (talk | contribs) expanded History, added two refs, expanded one citation fr bare url |
Manannan67 (talk | contribs) expanded History, added three refs |
||
| Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
McShea founded "Operation Rice Bowl" which began in the form of a small cardboard box in the parishes of the diocese to receive alms directed to relieving a famine in Africa. In 1976 it was adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a national program, and the following year assigned to Catholic Relief Services.<ref name=morning/><ref>[https://saintannebellview.org/news/what-is-operation-rice-bowl-1 Brown, Louis. "What is Operation Rice Bowl?", St. Anne Roman Catholic Church, Pensacola, Florida, February 8, 2019]</ref> He helmed the founding of Holy Family Manor, a nursing and rehabilitation center at the former [[Eugene Grace]] mansion in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]].<ref>[http://www.hfmanor.org/ Holy Family Manor]</ref> He also established Holy Family Villa, a retirement home for priests. |
McShea founded "Operation Rice Bowl" which began in the form of a small cardboard box in the parishes of the diocese to receive alms directed to relieving a famine in Africa. In 1976 it was adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a national program, and the following year assigned to Catholic Relief Services.<ref name=morning/><ref>[https://saintannebellview.org/news/what-is-operation-rice-bowl-1 Brown, Louis. "What is Operation Rice Bowl?", St. Anne Roman Catholic Church, Pensacola, Florida, February 8, 2019]</ref> He helmed the founding of Holy Family Manor, a nursing and rehabilitation center at the former [[Eugene Grace]] mansion in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]].<ref>[http://www.hfmanor.org/ Holy Family Manor]</ref> He also established Holy Family Villa, a retirement home for priests. |
||
Bishop McShea was followed by Bishop Thomas Welsh, formerly Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. Welsh established the first Youth Ministry Office in the diocese and raised $13 million in an endowment campaign for diocesan schools and other educational efforts. He was a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the [[Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception|National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception]] in Washington, D.C.<ref name=allentown>{{cite news|date=2009-02-19|work=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown]]|title=Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, Retired Bishop of Allentown, Dies at Age 87|url=http://www.allentowndiocese.org/news/nr021909a.html|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713202655/http://www.allentowndiocese.org/news/nr021909a.html|archivedate=2010-07-13|df=}}</ref> Despite his reputation as a [[Conservatism|conservative]], Welsh allowed girls to serve as [[altar server]]s at Mass, and gained recognition for his work to improve relations between Catholics and Jews.<ref name=call>{{cite news|date=2009-02-20|work=[[The Morning Call]]|title=Thomas Welsh, Allentown bishop, dies ** Catholic leader: Weatherly native led the diocese from 1983-97. He was 87}}</ref> He turned his home, a mansion purchased by Bishop McShea and bequeathed to the diocese upon his death, into a center for carrying on his pastoral work. |
|||
== Bishops == |
== Bishops == |
||
| Line 213: | Line 215: | ||
On August 1, 2018, Matt Kerr, spokesman for the Diocese of Allentown, announced that the Diocese would cooperate with a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and publish a list containing names of clergy suspected of taking part in sexual abuse of children.<ref name=jppapv>[https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/allentown_diocese_to_release_l.html Metrick, Becky. "Allentown Diocese to release list of accused priests", Pennlive.com, August 1, 2018]</ref> Kerr stated that the Diocese would post the list of "credibly accused priests" on its website the day a grand jury report is released.<ref name=jppapv /> |
On August 1, 2018, Matt Kerr, spokesman for the Diocese of Allentown, announced that the Diocese would cooperate with a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and publish a list containing names of clergy suspected of taking part in sexual abuse of children.<ref name=jppapv>[https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/allentown_diocese_to_release_l.html Metrick, Becky. "Allentown Diocese to release list of accused priests", Pennlive.com, August 1, 2018]</ref> Kerr stated that the Diocese would post the list of "credibly accused priests" on its website the day a grand jury report is released.<ref name=jppapv /> |
||
On August 14, 2018, |
On August 14, 2018, a grand jury report named thirty-seven priests in the Allentown diocese as either known or alleged abusers.<ref>[http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-grand-jury-report-allentown-diocese-20180616-story.html Darragh, Tom. "Allentown bishops, priests criticized for failing abuse victims; 37 priests named in grand jury report", ''Morning Call'', August 14, 2014]</ref> Bishop Schlert issued a video apology on behalf of the Allentown Diocese. Schlert stated that the cases of sexual abuse in the Diocese date back decades and that most of the accused priests in the Diocese are either deceased or no longer active in the ministry. |
||
Schlert also stated that the Diocese has had a zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse since 2003.<ref name=aug14>https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=36&v=9XbRcJt6dWE</ref> |
|||
The grand jury issued a statement in the report claiming that for all the six diocese which were investigated, including Allentown, “we believe that the real number — of children whose records were lost, or who were afraid ever to come forward — is in the thousands.”<ref name=spotlightpenn>[http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-grand-jury-report-catholic-dioceses-20180612-story.html mcall.com Scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report accuses hundreds of priests of sexually abusing more than 1,000 children] ''The Morning Call'', August 14, 2018</ref><ref name=pennreport>[media-downloads.pacourts.us/InterimRedactedReportandResponses.pdf?cb=42148 40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury - REPORT 1 Interim --Redacted] (pdf, 1356 p., 28 MB). See p. 15-64 (pdf p. 18-67) and 317-388.</ref> |
|||
37 priests in Allentown were among the accused.<ref name="WNEP_2018.08.14">{{cite web|url=https://wnep.com/2018/08/14/attorney-general-lists-dozens-of-priests-accused-of-sex-abuse-in-grand-jury-report/|title=Attorney General Lists Dozens of Priests Accused of Sex Abuse in Grand Jury Report|date=14 August 2018|website=Wnep.com|accessdate=16 August 2018}}</ref> However the grand jury noted how some records of sex abuse in the Diocese of Allentown were lost.<ref name=spotlightpenn /> Schlert was named as an "enabler" during the time he was [[vicar general]] to Bishop [[Edward Cullen (bishop)|Edward Cullen]].<ref name="WNEP_2018.08.14" /> Over time, Schlert was promoted for his role in handling the sex abuse allegations.<ref name=spotlightpenn /> Others were promoted as well.<ref name=spotlightpenn /> Commenting on the grand jury report at the time of its release, Schlert noted that “much has changed in the past 15 years, notably, that the diocese immediately removes accused priests from ministry and reports allegations to law enforcement. |
37 priests in Allentown were among the accused.<ref name="WNEP_2018.08.14">{{cite web|url=https://wnep.com/2018/08/14/attorney-general-lists-dozens-of-priests-accused-of-sex-abuse-in-grand-jury-report/|title=Attorney General Lists Dozens of Priests Accused of Sex Abuse in Grand Jury Report|date=14 August 2018|website=Wnep.com|accessdate=16 August 2018}}</ref> However the grand jury noted how some records of sex abuse in the Diocese of Allentown were lost.<ref name=spotlightpenn /> Schlert was named as an "enabler" during the time he was [[vicar general]] to Bishop [[Edward Cullen (bishop)|Edward Cullen]].<ref name="WNEP_2018.08.14" /> Over time, Schlert was promoted for his role in handling the sex abuse allegations.<ref name=spotlightpenn /> Others were promoted as well.<ref name=spotlightpenn /> Commenting on the grand jury report at the time of its release, Schlert noted that “much has changed in the past 15 years, notably, that the diocese immediately removes accused priests from ministry and reports allegations to law enforcement. |
||
Revision as of 18:59, 31 August 2019
Diocese of Allentown Dioecesis Alanpolitana | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
 Flag | |
| Location | |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Territory | Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill, in the United States |
| Ecclesiastical province | Archdiocese of Philadelphia |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 2,773 sq mi (7,180 km2) |
| Population - Total - Catholics | (as of 2015) 1,272,212 258,997 (20.4%) |
| Parishes | 89 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Established | January 28, 1961 |
| Cathedral | Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena |
| Patron saint | Saint Catherine of Siena |
| Secular priests | 210 |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Bishop | Alfred Andrew Schlert |
| Metropolitan Archbishop | Charles Joseph Chaput, OFM Cap Archbishop of Philadelphia |
| Bishops emeritus | Edward Peter Cullen |
| Map | |
 | |
| Website | |
| allentowndiocese.org | |
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown (Latin: Dioecesis Alanpolitana) is a Latin rite diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the Eastern United States.
Its cathedral is the Cathedral Church of Saint Catharine of Siena, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was announced on December 9, 2016 that Pope Francis had transferred Allentown Bishop John O. Barres to the Diocese of Rockville Centre in Long Island, New York.[1]
Statistics and extent
The diocese covers the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill. It has a Catholic population of 258,997 as of 2015, approximately 20.4% of the total population; it maintains 89 parishes, 34 Catholic elementary schools, 6 Catholic high schools and two Catholic colleges, as well as 244 priests (active, retired & religious).
As of 2014 it pastorally served 301,000 Catholics (23.3% of 1,291,000 total) on 7,183 km² in 102 parishes and 26 missions with 236 priests (173 diocesan, 63 religious), 93 deacons, 399 lay religious (78 brothers, 321 sisters) and 17 seminarians.
History
The diocese was founded on January 28, 1961 by Pope John XXIII splitting it from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; the first bishop, Joseph Mark McShea, was installed on April 11 of that year.[2] During his 22-year tenure, he oversaw the construction, purchase, and renovation of over 300 church buildings. In 1964, McShea, together with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, founded Allentown College (currently known as DeSales University).[3] He ordained 130 priests between 1961 and 1975. Although the diocese accounted for only 7 percent of Pennsylvania's Catholic population, it provided 20 percent of the state's ordinations.[4] He convened the first diocesan synod in May 1968.
McShea founded "Operation Rice Bowl" which began in the form of a small cardboard box in the parishes of the diocese to receive alms directed to relieving a famine in Africa. In 1976 it was adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a national program, and the following year assigned to Catholic Relief Services.[4][5] He helmed the founding of Holy Family Manor, a nursing and rehabilitation center at the former Eugene Grace mansion in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[6] He also established Holy Family Villa, a retirement home for priests.
Bishop McShea was followed by Bishop Thomas Welsh, formerly Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. Welsh established the first Youth Ministry Office in the diocese and raised $13 million in an endowment campaign for diocesan schools and other educational efforts. He was a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.[7] Despite his reputation as a conservative, Welsh allowed girls to serve as altar servers at Mass, and gained recognition for his work to improve relations between Catholics and Jews.[8] He turned his home, a mansion purchased by Bishop McShea and bequeathed to the diocese upon his death, into a center for carrying on his pastoral work.
Bishops
Bishops of Allentown
- Joseph Mark McShea (1961-1983)
- Thomas Jerome Welsh (1983-1997)
- Edward Peter Cullen (1997-2009)
- John Oliver Barres (2009-2016), appointed Bishop of Rockville Centre
- Alfred Andrew Schlert (2017–present)
Other priests of this diocese who became bishops
- Ronald William Gainer, appointed Bishop of Lexington in 2002 and later Bishop of Harrisburg
- Joseph Edward Kurtz, appointed Bishop of Knoxville in 19 and later Archbishop of Louisville
- David B. Thompson, appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Charleston in 1989 and later Bishop of Charleston
Diocese today
Vicar General: Msgr. David L. James, J.C.L.
Judicial Vicar: Fr. John J. Paul, J.C.D., S.T.L.
In 2008, the Diocese of Allentown underwent a major restructuring of parishes. Declining Mass attendance, shifts in population, and a decrease in priestly vocations led to these changes. Much of the Northeastern United States is experiencing the same demographic transformation.
Deaneries & Vicars Forane
- Schuylkill Deanery: Msgr. William J. Glosser, V.F.
- Berks Deanery: Fr. Thomas P. Bortz, V.F.
- Carbon Deanery: Msgr. John G. Chizmar, V.F.
- Lehigh Deanery: Msgr. Daniel J. Yenushosky, V.F.
- Northampton Deanery: Msgr. Stephen J. Radocha,V.F.
Parishes (as of 2016)
A cross (+) indicates a parish formed from the merger or consolidation of two or more former parishes.
Carbon Deanery
- St. Joseph, Summit Hill
- +St. Katherine Drexel, Lansford
- +St. Francis of Assisi, Nesquehoning
- +Our Lady of Lourdes, Weatherly
- Immaculate Conception, Jim Thorpe
- St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe
- St. Peter the Fisherman, Lake Harmony
- Ss. Peter and Paul, Lehighton
- Sacred Heart, Palmerton
Lehigh Deanery
- Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown
- St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown
- St. Paul, Allentown
- Sacred Heart, Allentown
- St. Stephen of Hungary, Allentown
- Our Lady, Help of Christians, Allentown
- Immaculate Conception, Allentown
- St. John the Baptist, Allentown
- Ss. Peter and Paul, Allentown
- St. Thomas More, Allentown
- St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield
- St. Ann, Emmaus
- +Queenship of Mary, Northampton
- Assumption BVM, Northampton
- +St. John Neumann, Catasauqua
- Assumption BVM, Slatington
- St. Peter, Coplay
- St. John the Baptist, Whitehall
- Holy Trinity, Whitehall
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall
Northampton Deanery
- Sacred Heart, Bath
- Holy Family, Nazareth
- St. Nicholas, Berlinsville
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl
- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Roseto
- Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bangor
- St. Rocco, Martins Creek
- +Incarnation of our Lord, Bethlehem
- Holy Ghost, Bethlehem
- Holy Infancy, Bethlehem
- St. Ursula, Fountain Hill
- +Our Lady of Mercy, Easton
- St. Anthony of Padua, Easton
- Saint Joseph, Limeport
- Assumption BVM, Colesville
- Notre Dame, Bethlehem
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem Township
- Sacred Heart, Bethlehem Township
- Saint Anne, Bethlehem
- Saint Theresa, Hellertown
- Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Palmer Township
- Saints Simon and Jude, Bethlehem
Berks Deanery
- Saint Joseph, Reading
- Saint Peter the Apostle, Reading
- Saint Margaret, Reading
- Saint Paul, Reading
- Holy Guardian Angels, Muhlenberg Township
- Saint Mary, Kutztown
- Saint Mary, Hamburg
- Saints Cyril and Methodius, Reading
- Saint Mary, Reading
- Holy Rosary, Reading
- Sacred Heart, West Reading
- Saint Ignatius Loyola, Whitfield
- Saint Francis de Sales, Robesonia
- Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Shillington
- Saint Benedict, Mohnton
- Saint Catherine of Siena, Mt. Penn (Chapel)/Exeter Township
- Immaculate Conception, Douglasville
- Saint Columbkill, Boyertown
- Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally
Schuylkill Deanery
- +St. John XXIII, Tamaqua
- +All Saints, McAdoo
- +St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy City
- St. Richard, Barnesville
- +Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah
- Saint Joseph, Sheppton
- Saint Mary, Ringtown
- +St. Charles Borromeo, Ashland
- Saint Ann, Frackville
- Saint Joseph, Frackville
- St. Patrick, Pottsville
- St. John the Baptist, Pottsville
- St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven
- St. Stephen, Port Carbon
- +St. Michael the Archangel, Minersville
- +St. Matthew, Minersville
- +St. Clare of Assisi, St. Clair
- +Holy Cross, New Philadelphia
- +Most Blessed Trinity, Tremont
Reports of Sex Abuse
In early 2016, a grand jury investigation, led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, began an inquiry into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in six Pennsylvania dioceses: Allentown, Scranton, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Erie. The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia were not included, as they had been the subjects of earlier investigations.[9]
On August 1, 2018, Matt Kerr, spokesman for the Diocese of Allentown, announced that the Diocese would cooperate with a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and publish a list containing names of clergy suspected of taking part in sexual abuse of children.[10] Kerr stated that the Diocese would post the list of "credibly accused priests" on its website the day a grand jury report is released.[10]
On August 14, 2018, a grand jury report named thirty-seven priests in the Allentown diocese as either known or alleged abusers.[11] Bishop Schlert issued a video apology on behalf of the Allentown Diocese. Schlert stated that the cases of sexual abuse in the Diocese date back decades and that most of the accused priests in the Diocese are either deceased or no longer active in the ministry. Schlert also stated that the Diocese has had a zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse since 2003.[12]
The grand jury issued a statement in the report claiming that for all the six diocese which were investigated, including Allentown, “we believe that the real number — of children whose records were lost, or who were afraid ever to come forward — is in the thousands.”[13][14]
37 priests in Allentown were among the accused.[15] However the grand jury noted how some records of sex abuse in the Diocese of Allentown were lost.[13] Schlert was named as an "enabler" during the time he was vicar general to Bishop Edward Cullen.[15] Over time, Schlert was promoted for his role in handling the sex abuse allegations.[13] Others were promoted as well.[13] Commenting on the grand jury report at the time of its release, Schlert noted that “much has changed in the past 15 years, notably, that the diocese immediately removes accused priests from ministry and reports allegations to law enforcement.
On August 22, 2018, Diocese priest Rev. Kevin Lonergan, who was not among those listed, was charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors after being accused of inappropriately touching a 17-year-old girl and sending nude images of himself to her.[16]
One accused priest was also revealed to have transferred to the Diocese of Orlando in Florida.[17]
Catholic education
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2019) |
Higher education
- DeSales University, Center Valley
- Alvernia University, Reading
High schools
- Allentown Central Catholic High School
- Bethlehem Catholic High School
- Berks Catholic High School, Reading
- Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua
- Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville
- Notre Dame High School, Easton
See also
- Catholic Church by country
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia
- Global organisation of the Catholic Church
- List of Roman Catholic archdioceses (by country and continent)
- List of Roman Catholic dioceses (alphabetical) (including archdioceses)
- List of Roman Catholic dioceses (structured view) (including archdioceses)
- List of the Catholic dioceses of the United States
References
- ^ "Pope Francis names new bishop to lead Rockville Centre diocese". Newsday. 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
- ^ "About the Diocese", Diocese of Allentown
- ^ "History". DeSales University.
- ^ a b "Life of Love and Service Bishop McShea dies at 84", Morning Call, November 29, 1991
- ^ Brown, Louis. "What is Operation Rice Bowl?", St. Anne Roman Catholic Church, Pensacola, Florida, February 8, 2019
- ^ Holy Family Manor
- ^ "Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, Retired Bishop of Allentown, Dies at Age 87". Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown. 2009-02-19. Archived from the original on 2010-07-13.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Thomas Welsh, Allentown bishop, dies ** Catholic leader: Weatherly native led the diocese from 1983-97. He was 87". The Morning Call. 2009-02-20.
- ^ Couloumbis, Angela (June 17, 2018). "Pa. report to document child sexual abuse, cover-ups in six Catholic dioceses". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- ^ a b Metrick, Becky. "Allentown Diocese to release list of accused priests", Pennlive.com, August 1, 2018
- ^ Darragh, Tom. "Allentown bishops, priests criticized for failing abuse victims; 37 priests named in grand jury report", Morning Call, August 14, 2014
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=36&v=9XbRcJt6dWE
- ^ a b c d mcall.com Scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report accuses hundreds of priests of sexually abusing more than 1,000 children The Morning Call, August 14, 2018
- ^ [media-downloads.pacourts.us/InterimRedactedReportandResponses.pdf?cb=42148 40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury - REPORT 1 Interim --Redacted] (pdf, 1356 p., 28 MB). See p. 15-64 (pdf p. 18-67) and 317-388.
- ^ a b "Attorney General Lists Dozens of Priests Accused of Sex Abuse in Grand Jury Report". Wnep.com. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ^ https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-lehigh-priest-charges-20180821-story.html
- ^ https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-orlando-diocese-child-sex-abuse-accusation-20180829-story.html
Sources and external links
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown Official Site
- GCatholic, with Google map - data for most sections
| Ordinaries |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Churches | ||
| Education |
| |
Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia | |
|---|---|