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Christopher Joseph Weldon

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His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Christopher Joseph Weldon
Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
SeeSpringfield in Massachusetts
In officeMarch 24, 1950 to
October 15, 1977
PredecessorThomas Michael O'Leary
SuccessorJoseph Francis Maguire
Orders
OrdinationSeptember 21, 1929
ConsecrationMarch 24, 1950
by Francis Spellman
Personal details
Born(1905-09-06)September 6, 1905
New York City, New York, US
DiedMarch 19, 1982(1982-03-19) (aged 76)
Springfield, Massachusetts, US
EducationGrand Seminary of Montreal
St. Joseph's Seminary
Catholic University of America

Christopher Joseph Weldon (September 6, 1905 – March 19, 1982) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts from 1950 to 1977.

In 2020, an investigation by the diocese determined that an accusation of sexual abuse of a minor against Weldon was highly credible.[1]

Biography

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Early years

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Christopher Weldon was born on September 6, 1905, in the Bronx section of New York City to Patrick and Mary (née Dwyer) Weldon.[2] After graduating from Public School 9 in Manhattan in 1918, he entered the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec. In 1924, Weldon returned to New York to study at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers.[2]

Priesthood

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Weldon was ordained to the priesthood on September 21, 1929, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.[3] Weldon then completed his graduate studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.[4] His first pastoral assignment was as assistant pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in White Plains, New York, followed by a term at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mount Kisco, New York.[4]

From 1931 to 1935, Weldon served as spiritual director at the Newman School in Lakewood, New Jersey.[2] He left New Jersey in 1935 to become pastor at St. John Chrysostom Church in Bronx, New York. After one year, he was moved to Blessed Sacrament Church in Manhattan.[2] In 1942, after the outbreak of World War II, Weldon left New York to serve in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps.[4] Discharged from the Navy in 1946, he returned to New York, where he became master of ceremonies to Cardinal Francis Spellman.[2] Serving as executive director of Catholic Charities from 1947 to 1950, he was raised to the rank of a papal chamberlain in 1947 and a domestic prelate in 1948.[2]

Bishop of Springfield

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On January 28, 1950, Weldon was appointed the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield by Pope Pius XII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on March 24, 1950, from Cardinal Spellman, with Archbishop Richard Cushing and Bishop Stephen Joseph Donahue serving as co-consecrators.[3]

During his tenure, Weldon oversaw the construction of Cathedral High School and Our Lady of Lourdes School in Springfield, added a wing to Farren Memorial Hospital in Montague, Massachusetts, and built Mont Marie, the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield.[4] He erected 10 new parishes, and constructed 11 new churches and several parish centers.[4] Weldon established a center for the Hispanic apostolate in Springfield, and a diocesan newspaper in 1954.[4] He attended the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, and served as president of Elms College from 1958 to 1977.[4]

Retirement and legacy

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After 27 years as bishop, Weldon resigned on October 15, 1977.[3] Christopher Weldon died on March 19, 1982, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield at age 76.[5]

In September 2018, a diocesan Review Board notified Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski that it had found an allegation of sexual abuse by Weldon credible. The board cited a Chicopee, Massachusetts, resident who said that Weldon had abused him a child. The board later split on the case, with several members saying that the victim did not name Weldon directly, while three others present maintained they had witnessed otherwise. In June 2019, Rozanski met with the victim, saying he found the allegations "deeply troubling".[6][7] In June 2020, an investigation by retired Superior Court Judge Peter A. Velis found the victim's claim "to be unequivocally credible."[8]

After Velis' findings were released, Rozanski asked Trinity Health of New England to remove Weldon's name from its rehabilitation center, the former Farren Memorial Hospital in Montague. Weldon's remains were disinterred and moved to more secluded spot in the cemetery. He ordered the removal of all photographs, memorials and other mentions of Weldon from all diocesan facilities, schools and churches.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Barry, Stephanie (2023-04-12). "Judge says Springfield diocese attorney possibly 'reckless' responding to sexual abuse allegations against late bishop". masslive. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Curtis, Georgina Pell; Elder, Benedict (1961). "Weldon, Most Rev. Christopher Joseph". The American Catholic Who's Who, Vol. 14. Walter Romig Publishing. p. 473.
  3. ^ a b c d "Bishop Christopher Joseph Weldon". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Past Presidents". Elms College. Archived from the original on 2009-09-16. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  5. ^ Clark, Alfred E (1982-03-20). "Bishop C.J. Weldon of Massachusetts". The New York Times.
  6. ^ Parnass, Larry (May 29, 2019). "Former bishop not listed as 'credibly accused,' despite diocesan board's finding". Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Mass. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019.
  7. ^ Flynn, Anne-Gerard (June 16, 2019). "Sex abuse claim against late Springfield bishop Christopher Weldon demonstrates challenge victims face". The Republican. Archived from the original on June 16, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Drake, Rebecca (June 26, 2020). "Abuse allegations against late Springfield, Mass., bishop found credible". National Catholic Reporter.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts
1950–1977 		Succeeded by
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