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Robert Joseph McManus

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His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Robert Joseph McManus
Bishop of Worcester
DioceseDiocese of Worcester
AppointedMarch 9, 2004
InstalledMay 14, 2004
PredecessorDaniel Patrick Reilly
Previous post(s)Auxiliary Bishop of Providence (1999–2004)
Orders
OrdinationMay 27, 1978
by Kenneth Anthony Angell
ConsecrationFebruary 22, 1999
by Kenneth Anthony Angell, Robert Edward Mulvee, and Louis Edward Gelineau
Personal details
Born (1951-07-05) July 5, 1951 (age 73)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
EducationCatholic University of America (BA, MA)
University of Toronto (MDiv)
MottoChristus veritatis splendor
(Christ shines truth)
Styles of
Robert Joseph McManus
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Robert Joseph McManus (born July 5, 1951) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has been bishop of the Diocese of Worcester in Massachusetts since 2004. He was an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island from 1999 to 2004.

Biography

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Early life

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Robert McManus was born on July 5, 1951, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Edward and Helen (née King) McManus. He grew up in the Providence area, graduating from Blessed Sacrament School and Our Lady of Providence Seminary high school in Warwick, Rhode Island.[1]

After graduating from high school, McManus entered Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., obtaining a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. He then attended the Toronto School of Theology in Toronto, Ontario, earning a Master of Divinity degree.[2] After his ordination as deacon, McManus served for a year as deacon at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.[2][3]

Priesthood

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On May 27, 1978, McManus was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Providence by Bishop Kenneth Anthony Angell.[4] Following his ordination, the diocese assigned McManus as temporary assistant chaplain at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Providence along with a posting as associate pastor at St. Matthew Parish in Cranston, Rhode Island. He was moved to Providence in 1981 to serve as associate pastor at St. Anthony Parish. McManus also worked as the chaplain at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) during this period.[2][3]

In 1984, the diocese sent McManus to Rome, where he earned a licentiate and Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University.[5] In November 1987, McManus returned to Rhode Island; Bishop Louis Edward Gelineau appointed him as vicar for education and director of the office of ministerial formation. In July 1987, McManus was appointed pastor of St. Luke Parish in Barrington, Rhode Island. In 1990, the diocese appointed McManus as a consultant and editorial writer for The Providence Visitor newspaper.[2]

McManus was elevated to the title of monsignor on February 28, 1997, by Pope John Paul II. In June 1998, McManus left St. Luke after Bishop Robert Edward Mulvee named him as rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary. During this time, McManus also provided pastoral coverage at St. Margaret Parish in Rumford, Rhode Island.[2]

Auxiliary Bishop of Providence

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On December 1, 1998, John Paul II appointed McManus as auxiliary bishop of Providence and titular bishop of Allegheny. He was consecrated on February 22, 1999, by Bishop Robert Edward Mulvee, with Bishops Mulvee and Gelineau serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence.[4] As auxiliary bishop, McManus continued as rector at Our Lady and secretary for ministerial formation.[2]

Bishop of Worcester

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On March 9, 2004, John Paul II appointed McManus as bishop of Worcester. He was installed on May 14, 2004, succeeding Bishop Daniel Patrick Reilly, who retired.[5][4]

In 2007, McManus criticized the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester for renting out "sacred space" to the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy for workshops. He said that the Alliance taught subjects that violated the teachings of the Catholic Church. On October 10, 2007, McManus stated that the college might lose its designation as a Catholic institution. Holy Cross President Michael C. McFarland said that the college had contractual obligations to the Alliance and would not cancel its agreement.[6]

In April 2012, McManus asked Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts, to rescind an invitation to attorney Victoria Kennedy to speak at its commencement ceremony, citing her views on abortion rights for women and same sex marriage.[7] On May 4, 2012, the college agreed to disinvite Kennedy, but also rescinded its commencement invitation to McManus, stating that his presence at the ceremony would be a "distraction".[8]

On August 25, 2020, Pope Francis appointed McManus as apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts while continuing as bishop of Worcester. The diocese had become "vacant" with the appointment of Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski as archbishop of St. Louis.[3][9] McManus's term as apostolic administrator ended on December 14, 2020, with the installation of a new bishop in Springfield.[10]

On October 1, 2020, McManus and the Diocese of Worcester were named in a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by a former parishioner.[11] The plaintiff alleged that Reverend Thomas E. Mahoney had groomed and abused him and other boys in the early 1970s at various locations in Worcester and Boylston, Massachusetts. The lawsuit accused the diocese of failing to stop Mahoney's alleged crimes. After the lawsuit was filed, McManus suspended Mahoney, who had already retired, from any ministerial duties.[11]

McManus was arrested on May 4, 2013, in Narragansett, Rhode Island, for drunken driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and refusing a chemical sobriety test. At 10:30 pm, McManus had been involved in a crash with another vehicle, then fled the scene. The other driver followed him and called the police. They arrested McManus 20 minutes later at his family home in Narragansett.[12] McManus, a Rhode Island native, shares a family home with his siblings in Narragansett. He later stated:

I made a terrible error in judgment by driving after having consumed alcohol with dinner. There is no excuse for the mistake I made, only a commitment to make amends and accept the consequences of my action. More importantly, I ask forgiveness from the good people whom I serve, as well as my family and friends, in the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Providence.[13][14]

On April 9, 2022, McManus announced that he would not attend the Holy Cross College commencement ceremony. An online petition at the college denouncing McManus's actions against Nativity School and accusing him of bigotry gained hundreds of signatures.[15]

Viewpoints

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School autonomy

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Nativity School

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On April 3, 2022, McManus asked the Nativity School of Worcester, a Jesuit middle school in Worcester, Massachusetts, to remove the Black Lives Matter and gay pride flags from their flagpole, saying that they raised confusion about church teachings. McManus threatened to remove the school's designation as a Catholic school if it did not comply.[16] The Nativity School administration refused to remove the flags.[17]

As a multicultural school, the flags represent the inclusion and respect of all people. These flags simply state that all are welcome at Nativity and this value of inclusion is rooted in Catholic teaching.[18]

In June 2022, McManus proclaimed that Nativity School could no longer call itself "Catholic".[16] In response, Nativity School noted that Pope Francis has "praised the outreach and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people" and that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops "supports the spirit and movement" of Black Lives Matter. Nativity School said it would appeal McManus' declaration to the Vatican and continue flying the two flags.[19]

St. John's and Notre Dame schools

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In August 2023, McManus enacted a new diocesan policy regarding LGBTQ+ expression by students in Catholic schools in the diocese:

“Students may not advocate, celebrate, or express same-sex attraction in such a way as to cause confusion or distraction in the context of Catholic school classes, activities, or events.”[20]

The Xaverian Brothers, who operated St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, representing Notre Dame Academy in Worcester, refused to add the new policy. Their spokespersons said that the existing school policies already addressed these issues.[20]

LGBTQ+ rights

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In June 2012, diocesan officials declined to sell Oakhurst, an historic mansion in Northbridge, Massachusetts, to James Fairbanks and Alain Beret, a married gay couple. The diocese had used Oakhurst as a retreat center.[21][22] In September 2012, the couple sued McManus and the diocese for discrimination. The plaintiffs cited an email in which church officials said that McManus wanted to stop the sale "because of the potentiality of gay marriages there."[23][24] On October 12, 2012, the diocese sold Oakhurst to a different buyer.[25]

During the Oakhurst lawsuit, a diocese lawyer claimed that the Massachusetts anti-discrimination statute provides an exemption for religious institutions. He said: "If a religious entity did not have to permit property to be used for gay weddings, which we all agree, why must religious property be sold to an organization if it is going to be used for a gay wedding?" In March 2014, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a legal brief supporting the plaintiffs. The brief said,

"We believe that this family was unfairly discriminated against by the diocese when it refused to sell them property based on their sexual orientation.... And no reasonable person would think that a wedding that took place on a property no longer owned by a church was endorsed by that church."

Oral arguments in the Oakhurst case were scheduled in Worcester Superior Court on April 22, 2014.[26]

References

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  1. ^ Graves, Jim. "Bishop McManus: "He tapped me on the cheek and said, 'Be a good bishop."". www.catholicworldreport.com. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Office of the Bishop". Diocese of Worcester. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Bishop Robert J. McManus appointed apostolic administrator for Diocese of Springfield". Observe.org. August 25, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Bishop Robert Joseph McManus [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Ray, Kelly (August 25, 2020). "Worcester Bishop Robert McManus to oversee Springfield Diocese until new bishop named". Mass Live. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  6. ^ "High Noon at College of the Holy Cross". Crisis Magazine. October 15, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "Bishop Stands Firm On Kennedy Snub". WCVB. April 27, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  8. ^ "Bishop who disinvited Kennedy to skip graduation". Boston.com. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "Bishop McManus named Apostolic Administrator of Springfield Diocese". The Catholic Free Press. Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  10. ^ Jin, Danny (December 14, 2020). "A solemn message as Byrne installed as bishop: 'I really believe that God has not given up'". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Thompson, Elaine (October 1, 2020). "Worcester priest removed after lawsuit alleges sex abuse in the '70s". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  12. ^ Andersen, Travis; Feathers, Todd (May 6, 2013). "Bishop McManus of Worcester arrested for drunken driving; admits 'terrible error in judgment'". www.boston.com. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "Worcester bishop arrested", Catholic News Service, May 8, 2013
  14. ^ "Worcester bishop arrested". Arlington Catholic Herald. May 8, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  15. ^ Matthews, Tom (April 9, 2022). "Bishop McManus skipping Holy Cross graduation after demanding Nativity School remove Black Lives Matter, Pride flags". masslive. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Medina, Eduardo (June 18, 2022). "School's Catholic Title in Peril Over Pride and Black Lives Matter Flags". The New York Times. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  17. ^ Bukuras, Joe (April 5, 2022). "Bishop asks Catholic middle school to take down controversial flags". Catholic News Agency. Catholic News Agency. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  18. ^ McDuffie, Will (June 16, 2022). "Bishop says school no longer Catholic after flying Black Lives Matter, Pride flags". ABC News. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  19. ^ Adams, Abigail (June 17, 2022). "Diocese Says Mass. School Can't Call Itself Catholic After Refusing to Remove Pride, Black Lives Matter Flags". People Magazine. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Two Worcester Catholic schools say they won't implement bishop's new gender policy". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  21. ^ Williamson, Dianne (July 26, 2012). "'Plans' don't include sale to gay couple". Worcester Telegram. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  22. ^ Anderson, Karen. "Gay Couple Says Church Is Blocking Sale Of Historic Home". CBS Boston. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  23. ^ Wangsness, Lisa (September 10, 2012). "Gay couple says church denied Northbridge mansion sale to stop same-sex weddings". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  24. ^ Fenton, Josh. "Gay Couple Sues Diocese of Worcester for Discrimination". GoLocalWorcester. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  25. ^ Moore, Galen (October 18, 2012). "Diocese sells retreat center despite lawsuit; Buyer says no gay marriages". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  26. ^ Wangsness, Lisa (March 14, 2014). "Worcester Diocese is guilty of antigay bias, Coakley says". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Worcester
2004–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
–
 Auxiliary Bishop of Providence
1999–2004 		Succeeded by
–
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