October 14, 2007

Vatican Official Insists He's Not Gay

September 24, 2007

Thirty fourth continuance set for tomorrow in Fr. John Szantyr criminal case.

Worcester Diocese; begrudgingly helps alleged clergy abuse victims but assist accused Priest in defense.

The Worcester Voice recently was provided with documentation that reveals when Fr John J Szantyr was first charged criminally in 2002. Monsignor Thomas Sullivan, liaison for the Worcester Diocese was in communication with Louisiana Attorney, Joseph Waitz Sr. in regards to legal assistance for the accused Priest. 

In 2003, Monsignor Sullivan received a fax from Paul, the brother of Fr John Szantyr, in regards to a visit by Michel Chesnis at the Connecticut home of Fr. John Szantyr. That fax was then forwarded to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, then John J Conte in an attempt to discredit the alleged criminal victim.

Monsignor Sullivan has stood by idly while the Office of Healing and Protection under the direction of Frances Nugent and Sister Paula Kelleher have refused to provide reasonable assistance to Michael Chesnis, one of the alleged victims in the current criminal trial.

Currently the Worcester Voice has been forced to financially underwrite investigations and provide resources in the quest of the alleged victims to seek justice, along with other alleged victims of John Szantyr.

Several months ago, Worcester Bishop Robert McManus was contacted by the Worcester Voice seeking financial assistance to continue this work, Bishop McManus refused.

Eleven alleged victims receive support, as well as now numerous witnesses who have come forward with relative facts in this case.  Alone last week over forty hours of detailed work was performed. 

According to the Worcester Diocese financial disclosure for 2006, the Office of Healing has a budget of $124,272 dollars. In 2005 the annual budget was $179,141. This budget does not cover therapeutic services.

Under the Charter to Protect Children the diocese who removes the priest is responsible for the actions and monitoring of the removed priest.  As exposed, we now know Fr John Szantyr has been allowed to conduct himself as if he were a priest in good standing while the Worcester Diocese has negligently stood by.

Fr Rocco Piccolomini was contacted seven years ago by a mother named Jan, and informed of Fr John Szantyr’s performing of Eucharistic services and other sacraments.  Fr Rocco did tell Jan that Fr John Szantyr was without faculties to act as a priest. Fr John Szantyr did not stop his attendance dressed as a priest in good standing at the Seeds of Hope ministry.

Father Rocco Piccolomini was also contacted earlier this year by another alleged victim, of John Szantyr from New York with concerns for the faithful, yet no action has been forthcoming or communication forwarded publicly.

The Worcester Voice was informed late last week of eye-witness accounts that Fr John Szantyr has been performing confessions since his arraignment in 2002. These confessions were conducted in an isolated upstairs bedroom in the home of Neil Harrington Jr., in Springfield Massachusetts under the name Seeds of Hope ministry.

During the thirty four (34) criminal continuances, not once has any representative from the Diocese of Worcester appeared on the behalf of the alleged clergy abuse victims. 

The Worcester Voice and their associates have been present and provided moral and spiritual assistance during the proceeding as well as during the times in-between.   Support was provided not only to the alleged criminal victims but to their families and those within their inner circles.

Unlike the Worcester Diocese, the Springfield Diocese has been more than accommodating with assistance in regards to protecting children and young adults regarding Fr John J. Szantyr.  A formal letter was issued proclaiming no further celebrations of Masses or Sacraments may be performed in the diocese of Springfield by Fr John J. Szantyr.

Morally Bishop Robert McManus and Monsignor Thomas Sullivan have once again deceived and failed the Worcester faithful.

Please call Bishop Robert McManus (508-791-7171) and or Monsignor Thomas Sullivan (508-929-4346) and request they conduct themselves accordingly both spiritually and by financially supporting the work of the Worcester Voice.  Donations may be provided directly on the web site.  Church envelopes may be forwarded and receipts of donations will be provided to the diocese.  

The Worcester diocese was contacted today; as usual Worcester Bishop Robert McManus was not in his office.  Monsignor Thomas Sullivan was away at an undisclosed conference and not expected back until later in the week.  Fr Rocco Piccolomini was contacted at the diocese and his assigned parish our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fr Rocco did not return the call.

April 30, 2007

Blue Mass to honor Conte and others

Law enforcement personnel will be honored and remembered at the 12th annual diocesan Blue Mass May 6 in St. Paul Cathedral.

Former Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte and State Police Lt. Timothy G. Hackett, who will retire May 4, will receive 2007 Distinguished Law Enforcement awards. Sgt. John Lewis, Worcester Police Department, will receive the Interfaith award.

A memorial service for three people who died since last year’s Blue Mass will be held at Bishop Flanagan Park, across High Street from the cathedral.

January 4, 2005

Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan writes letter to editor of Free Press to attack Worcester Telegram reporter Ms Kathleen Shaw.

Msgr. Thomas J.  Sullivan wrote a letter to this week's Catholic Free Press, his own publication, to attack the creditability of the well-established religion reporter Ms Kathleen Shaw in regards to her gay marriage petition drive article.

Msgr. Sullivan in a three-part attack declares Ms Shaw "intended to drive a wedge between the Catholic community and himself (Bishop McManus)".  Msgr. Sullivan then further proclaimed he also signed the petition yet his name does not appear. Lastly, Msgr Sullivan stated Bishop McManus was in his office half a day and he was present all day December 23, 2005 to which he eluded to in an attempt to discrediting Ms Shaw statement "Bishop McManus was not immediately available for comment".

How typical this outcry of blasphemy Worcester Catholics has become accustomed to when questions of credibility arise from within the Worcester Diocese

First of all, newspaper reporters do not call the Bishop's Office for a media quote.  Media calls are always made to the official spokesman for the diocese, Mr. Raymond Delisle. Two attempts were made to contact the diocese for comment through Mr. Delisle without success

The petition signatures were listed on the web site KnowThyNeighor.org.  Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin provided the list of certified signatures on disc to KnowThy Neighbor.  Before Ms Shaw reported the lack of Bishop McManus's signature on the gay marriage petition, the Boston Globe on December 22 had reported the original claim.  Yet, Msgr Sullivan failed to note the Globe disclosure in his letter.

No other Church or State Officials have come forward to contest the creditability of the certified signature list. Ms MaryBeth Burke of St. Paul's Cathedral Parish was the Worcester diocesan coordinator. Ms Burke collected the petitions and turned them over to Catholic Citizenship, which collected the signatures in the Catholic dioceses of Massachusetts. The petitions were then sent on to  VoteOnMarriage.org which then brought them to the Secretary of State's office.

Missing from both Bishop McManus statement and Msgr. Sullivan's statement is the time, location and date of their signatures. Certainly the signaling of this gay marriage petition within the last 60 days could be remembered. Yet neither diocesan official listed the particulars of placing their signature, nor has anyone come forward to say they witnessed either signature.

Worcester Magazine's, Worcesteria stated, Worcester Elections Commissioner Craig Manseau reported Bishop McManus is in fact registered to vote in Worcester. Bishop McManus voted in the 2004 presidential election, but didn’t bother making it to the polls for the recent city election.

Bishop McManus does not need Ms Shaw to "drive a wedge between the Catholic community and himself”. Bishop McManus, and Msgr. Sullivan, Diocesan Chancellor have done a fine job of that themselves.

Bishop McManus since his arrival has failed to amalgamate with the people of Worcester.  Bishop McManus is seldom available or in his Worcester Diocesan Office, nor has his office been open or welcoming.

The much anticipated new beginning for the Worcester Diocese and proclamations of compassion delivered by Bishop McManus on his May 2004 installation day has never materialized.

Just recently in the Fr. James Aquino indecent assault case, Bishop McManus's presentation of not knowing the whole truth, until the legal documents were posted on the Voice web site, was not believable.  After the weekend arrival of Msgr. Sullivan to Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Fr Aquino's deceitful presentation on the holy altar, which was orchestrated under the blessing of Bishop McManus, was sinful and violated many more Worcester faithful when the entire truth was exposed.

The failure to act responsibly, the continued deceit, misrepresentations of Holiness and exposure of such are the factors driving a wedge between the faithful and the Bishop.

Attendance in area Catholic churches continues to decline, and will continue to decline until the leadership of the Worcester diocese can take responsibility for their own sins, learn to treat the Faithful with dignity and respect. To preach the teachings of Jesus Christ without acting out his words is meaningless

The old ways of media mumble jumble, intimation and threats just doesn't work any more.

November 2, 2005

McManus knew earlier of charges against priest

Nevada DA sent bishop police report on Aquino

David Roger, district attorney of Clark County, Nev., said yesterday that he notified Bishop Robert J. McManus in February of the scope of the criminal charges lodged against the Rev. James J. Aquino of Worcester, and provided the bishop with copies of the citation and police report.

Mr. Roger’s account of when the bishop was made aware of details that led to charges against Rev. Aquino appears to differ from recent statements by the bishop concerning the situation. Attempts to reach Bishop McManus and Raymond L. Delisle, spokesman for the bishop and the Catholic Diocese of Worcester, for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.

On Monday, the bishop said his decision to remove Rev. Aquino from his pastorate at Our Lady of Loreto Parish last weekend was based on new information he received in the past week.

“From early February until a few days ago I believed I was in possession of the truth. A few days ago, I realized with deep regret and disappointment that I did not possess the whole truth,” he said.

Saturday, January 8, 2005

Diocese cuts its fiscal losses
Deficit reduced by more than half from last year

Worcester-The Diocese of Worcester ended the 2004 fiscal year with a loss of $271,300.

Although the diocese finished in the red, the losses were significantly less than the previous year, when the diocese had a loss of nearly $800,000.

The diocese continued to pay for services related to the clergy sexual abuse scandal. A number of the pending civil lawsuits related to alleged incidents of sexual abuse were settled in the past year. Several are still pending, and six new suits were recently filed. The diocese said it paid out $131,875 for all legal services it incurred during 2004. The Office of Healing and Prevention received a total of $170,845.

A total of $82,100 was paid out in therapeutic assistance. The fiscal affairs office operated with a budget of $386,999. Interest on debts was $624,540.

The Priests’ Financial Assistance Fund, which retired Bishop Daniel P. Reilly testified in a deposition is where priests can be paid when they are removed from ministry because of misconduct allegations, was set at $349,457. The diocese has said, however, that not all this money goes for removed priests, but it also goes for priests on leave for medical reasons.

The financial report also shows that the diocese created a “bad debt” reserve of $115,000 and had a “loan receivable write-off” entry totaling $210,000.

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

New deacons assigned to parishes

WORCESTER— Bishop Robert J. McManus has announced assignments for three new permanent deacons who were recently ordained.

Deacon Anthony Fiore will serve at St. Boniface parish in Lunenburg.

Deacon John A. Franchi will serve at St. Joseph parish in North Brookfield.

Deacon Peter J. Motyka will serve at St. Louis parish in Webster.

Sunday, December 12, 2004

Santa stint eases a heavy heart

Former youth minister works through pain

A year ago, Solomon E. Toledo Jr. was the well-regarded head of the young adult ministry for the Diocese of Worcester. He was earning a respectable wage and hoping to eventually parlay his experience into a higher post with a diocese on the West Coast.

Mr. Toledo had worked in Worcester for two years and was earning an annual salary of $32,000 when he was fired. He said no details of the allegations were revealed and he was denied a chance to defend himself or meet with the bishop. He was given three days to vacate the diocesan Oakhurst Retreat Center in Whitinsville, where he had been living, and he received no severance pay.

“Now that I’ve had a year to think, I guess I’ve grown kind of bitter,” Mr. Toledo said. “There was no investigation, no nothing. I believe I was made an example of to show that the diocese can move quickly. Priests are often protected, but a layperson has no rights in the Catholic Church.”

Voice note: Removed Worcester Priest with creditable allegation of child sexual abuse are given a salary of about $17,000 tax free dollars, medical insurance and a place to live. Recently Bishop Reilly admitted in a deposition that $280,000 was spent in what the dioceses calls the priest assistance fund on such priest.  

Tuesday, November 9. 2004

Worcester dioceses self absolves themselves of sins again, ministerial code fails first attempt.

The new ministerial code of conduct has failed the first test without even a try. New Bishop Robert McManus who pledged upon his installation to help heal the wounds inflicted by the clergy sexual abuse scandal in Worcester blatantly refuses proper and Christian accountably under his reign. 

When Ms Patricia Engdahl of the Worcester office of healing was contacted to file a complaint October 12, 2004, based on very serious misconduct conducted by Bishop Daniel Reilly, Pastor Father Gerald Doran and the St. Leo administration.  Ms Engdahl failed to take the complaint as she stated she had no knowledge of the actions or who conducted enforcement of this code.

Saturday, October 23, 2004

Catholics in Hew Hampshire express their outrage at honor of legal integrity at Red Mass.  

Justice denied: bishops and the law

The Red Mass, a tradition dating from the thirteenth century that marks the opening of the courts of law, will be celebrated today at St. Joseph Cathedral by Bishop John McCormack He will wear red vestments as a sign of the Holy Spirit, whose guidance is sought for those involved in the study and administration of justice in New Hampshire.

A worthy goal, but the irony is stark: a bishop who escapes criminal prosecution in Massachusetts only because of inadequate laws, and who to this day, denies lying, deceiving or covering up sexual abuse, is honored by the presence of judges, lawyers and other officials. 

Neither John McCormack, nor Francis Christian, nor Odore Gendron, nor any bishop in New Hampshire or elsewhere has been held accountable in a court of law for knowingly endangering children, for obstructing justice, or for the failure to report allegations.

October 19, 2004

Fitchburg lawyer is among four to receive honors

WORCESTER— Judge Susan D. Ricci, associate justice of the Worcester Probate and Family Court, will be among those honored by the St. Thomas More Society of Worcester at Sunday's 47th annual Red Mass celebration.

The Red Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral. Dinner will follow in the Hogan Campus Center at the College of the Holy Cross. William D. McGarry, president of Anna Maria College in Paxton, will be the featured speaker at the dinner.

Judge Ricci, an associate justice of the probate court in Worcester since 1993, will receive the St. Thomas More Society's Distinguished Jurist Award. The society's Distinguished Attorney Award will be presented to lawyer Sylvia L. Pusateri, president of the Fitchburg law firm of Pusateri & Pusateri.

voice note: Now we can plainly see those professional who protect the catholic diocese of Worcester and fail to protect young children.  

Saturday October 16, 2004

Bishop renames fund "Partners in Charity'

WORCESTER— Bishop Robert J. McManus announced yesterday he is changing the name of the Bishop's Fund to The Annual Partners in Charity Appeal.

"It is the responsibility of the entire diocese, working with the bishop, to respond to the needs of those we are called to serve," he said.

October 12, 2004

Policy will face first challenge

The Worcester Voice has called upon the Diocese of Worcester to show how serious it is in enforcing its new ministerial code of conduct. The diocese need not look beyond Leominster to find a case worthy of its scrutiny of ethical and moral practices by clergy and a bishop. According to the new code, bishops and clergy are being held to an even higher standard that was was promulgated in the decree. 

It was a cold wet day in December 2000 when arrival of a new priest was announced during Mass at St. Leo Parish in Leominster. The faithful were informed that because of the illness of Father Dolan, the new priest, Father Peter, would be celebrating Masses. 

Within a week of his arrival, Father Peter was in the parish elementary school and he attended the seventh and eighth grade classes on a regular basis. No priest had ever spent so much time in the school. Other than the occasional Mass for a class, Fathers Doran and Dolan were never seen.

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Catholic advocates eye nearing election

Diocese will hold voter registration Diocese eyes voter registration
WORCESTER- The Diocese of Worcester has issued a call for each parish to appoint a public policy advocate to attend one of two meetings to be held Wednesday at Ascension Church.

In a Sept. 23 memo to all pastors, the diocese suggested that the advocates could be drawn from parish marriage amendment coordinators, those people who worked for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage; people who are anti-abortion representatives, and people who support church teachings on end-of-life issues.. .........The Wednesday meeting, which will have sessions at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Ascension Church, 40 Vernon St., was spurred by a meeting for all diocesan priests that Bishop Robert J. McManus called Sept. 9. Former Vatican ambassador Raymond L. Flynn was the speaker.

Mr. Flynn said in a recent interview discussing his Catholic Citizenship initiative that only about 60 of the 130 invited priests attended, and he was disappointed with the turnout.

He said the diocese also had two lawyers present

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Bishop presents 35 grants

WORCESTER- Bishop Robert J. McManus this week presented $20,150 in grants to 35 area programs through support given to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

The awards were presented Monday at the Italian Cultural Center and Mount Carmel Recreation Center, Mulberry Street. Money for the campaign was collected in parishes last November.

The collection in the Worcester Diocese raised about $80,000 last year, including money raised by Catholic school students as part of their own campaign to learn about ways to end poverty. Three-quarters of the collection was sent to the national campaign office

Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Catholic voters get tips from bishops
Guides list candidates’ stands on issues

Many Catholic voters in yesterday’s primary received e-mailed voter guides from the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, explaining where legislative candidates stand on issues of concern to the state’s Catholic bishops, including Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester.

The conference is the political and lobbying wing of the state’s Catholic bishops.

In the 13th Worcester District state representative race, the guides show that Bill S. Coleman III of Worcester generally agreed with the positions taken by the bishops while state Rep. Robert P. Spellane of Worcester did not.

State Rep. Emile J. Goguen of Fitchburg, who represents the 3rd Worcester District, was in general agreement with the bishops while opponent Susan M. Koeck of Fitchburg was not.

State Rep. John P. Fresolo of Worcester, who represents the 16th Worcester District, was in general agreement with the bishops while opponent Melissa J. Murgo of Worcester held differing views.

Voice note: Now perhaps the average catholic can see the political connection between Worcester dioceses and elected officials. The TRUE reasoning why the Catholic Bishops have not been criminally prosecuted in Massachusetts, now is vividly obvious.

Friday, September 10, 2004

Priests huddle on role in election

WORCESTER- Bishop Robert J. McManus last night called together priests of the Diocese of Worcester for a private meeting with former Vatican Ambassador Raymond L. Flynn on how priests can play a role in the November election while staying within the law.

Raymond L. Delisle, diocesan spokesman, said the meeting was closed to the public and press "so that the priests will feel comfortable talking and asking questions." The meeting was held at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Bishop McManus said Mr. Flynn can present his "unique perspective" on political and moral responsibility.

Monday, June 28, 2004

New bishop celebrates Mass in Fitchburg

FITCHBURG -- Bishop Robert J. McManus stirred a celebrity-like reception Sunday, celebrating his first Mass in the city since he became prelate of the Worcester Catholic Diocese in May. ............When he was installed as bishop in May, the Providence, R.I., native had never set foot in the Fitchburg area. Now he regularly comes here for religious meetings and other church functions.

The Rev. Robert Johnson, director of worship for the diocese, said McManus has 126 parishes across the diocese he plans to eventually visit.

"In September, the schedule picks up quite rapidly," Johnson said.

Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus words ring empty in first five months.

Bishop McManus just before noon on March 1 received a voice mail from the secretary of the papal nuncio in Washington, D.C., informing him of his appointment to as fifth Bishop of Worcester. This announcement was greeted with relief and joy by many area Catholics who had high hopes for the new bishop. He was coming into a diocese that had miserably failed to deal with the sexual abuse crisis among some of its priests and church workers. ..............

Friday, June 25, 2004  Bishop McManus celebrated a special Mass in honor of the founder of Opus Dei, a shadowy Catholic organization that is a personal prelature of the Pope. Membership lists are kept secret and members answer only to the pope. One must ask where the bishop’s priorities lie if he can take time to celebrate a Mass for Opus Dei but not reach out to victims of clergy sexual abuse.

Bishop McManus God is calling you.  Will you be a leader among men, have the courage to place Christianity before self preservation or fail your calling, like so many Catholic Bishops before you.

June 21, 2004

Opus Dei founder set to be honored at St. Paul's Mass

WORCESTER- Bishop Robert J. McManus, who attended the canonization of St. Josemaria Escriva in Rome in 2002, will celebrate a special Mass in honor of the founder of the Opus Dei movement at 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Monday, June 1, 2004

Worcester diocese pays accused Priest $17,018 yearly, tax free.

Worcester parish denounces closing of St. Joseph's Church in June of 1993 and prevailed over Bishop.

Bishop Robert McManus, new bishop of the Diocese of Worcester, is a beacon of hope on the horizon for many faithful Catholics. We wish him the best and pray and hope that he will bring needed change and reform to the diocese. He has a tough job ahead of him and both he and the Church of Worcester need our help and prayers at this critical time. Some faithful Catholics have said openly the diocese is in chaos.

For those of us in Worcester who have suffered - a suffering compounded by adding insult to injury because of refusal of Bishop Daniel Reilly to acknowledge the truth and stand accountable for unthinkable sins and crimes against young people - this is far from over.

May 28, 2004

Abuse victim advocates try to meet with bishop

WORCESTER- Two area advocates for victims of clergy sexual abuse yesterday unsuccessfully attempted to meet with Bishop Robert J. McManus to discuss a new program called "restorative justice" that they believe might help the healing of both victims and abusers.

Mary T. Jean of Leominster, director of the Worcester Voice, and Daniel Dick of Worcester, victim advocate for Voice of the Faithful, went to the chancery to meet with the bishop but were told no meeting was scheduled. Mrs. Jean said they were told by the Rev. Rocco Piccolomini, the bishop's secretary, that Bishop McManus was "not available to us."

May 27, 2004

Letter highlights new schism

Damnation jolts man 'cooperating with evil'
Our new bishop joins the Diocese of Worcester when churches are closing and attendance is dropping, so it only makes sense that he comes out of the box with a stinging rebuke to gays, civil rights advocates and one of the most respected public servants in this city.

City Clerk David J. Rushford said he was "shaken" by the language in a pastoral letter by Bishop Robert J. McManus and published in last week's Catholic Free Press, in which the bishop disputes Mr. Rushford's public remarks that allowing gays to marry is consistent with church teachings on inclusiveness.

May 25, 2004

Worcester bishop shocks gays with `evil' statement

The new leader of the Catholic Diocese of Worcester stunned gay rights supporters by writing in a church newsletter that Catholics, especially public officials, pushing to legalize same-sex marriage are ``in cooperation with evil.''

``Oh, my God. Wow,'' gasped Marianne Duddy-Burke of Boston Dignity, a group of gay Catholics. ``It's an appalling statement on so many levels. It disregards a civil servant's duty to the entire community.''

May 21, 2004

Pastoral note of clarification
from Bishop McManus

In the recent Sunday Telegram of May 16, 2004, it was reported that David J. Rushford, Worcester City Clerk, believes that “allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry … is in line with Catholic teaching which emphasizes ‘inclusivity, universality, and respect for the dignity of each individual.’”

As chief teacher of faith and morals in the Diocese of Worcester, it is incumbent upon me to point out that Mr. Rushford’s opinion, as stated, is morally incorrect and pastorally misleading.

Clergy Victim request meeting with new Bishop

Mr. Skip Shea, alleged clergy abuse victim has made an attempt to meet with Worcester Bishop Robert McManus.  Mr. Shea was featured in a Worcester telegram photo standing outside the installation of Bishop McManus on Friday May 14, 2003.  No clergy abuse victims or advocates were invited to attend.  Thursday,  Mr. Shea went personally to the chancery on Elm Street and hand delivered a letter to Bishop McManus.

May 17, 2004

A call to Bishop McManus to start the healing.

The Worcester Voice, an advocacy organization to support victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Worcester Diocese, has joined with other active community members to heed Bishop Robert J. McManus’ call for all to join together to bring about healing and reconciliation. 

The Bishop acknowledged the hurt the scandal in the Catholic church has caused its faithful, whether victim or non-victim, and asked all to join him in healing the wounds. 

Complete letter May 17, 2004

Letters sent to Bishop Robert J. McManus:

May 17, 2004

April 15, 2004 reply from Bishop Robert J. McManus

April 15, 2004

March 31, 2004

Saturday, May 16, 2004

New bishop envisions 'new evangelization'

As I See It

By Bishop Robert J. McManus
It is said that "self-praise is to no avail.'' I hope the same cannot
be said about "self-introduction.'' Bruce S. Bennett, the publisher of this
newspaper, graciously invited me to write this column to introduce myself to the newspaper's readership as I come to the Diocese of Worcester as its fifth bishop.

I was born and raised in Providence. My seminary education and formation led me from Rhode Island to Washington, D.C., to Toronto and ultimately to Rome, where I earned a doctorate in sacred theology at the Jesuit-run Pontifical Gregorian University.

1,000 gather in St. Paul's Cathedral ceremony

WORCESTER- Bishop Robert J. McManus was installed yesterday as fifth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester in a ceremony filled with the time-honored rituals of the Church of Rome and witnessed by hundreds of the faithful.

Monday, May 10, 2004

Bishop McManus eager to get started

Bishop ready to meet diocese
Auxiliary Bishop Robert J. McManus walked out to the front of the chancery building on Friday and encountered a young woman who asked when he was leaving. "Today's my last day," he told her.

The woman gave him a big hug and wished him luck on his new assignment. It had been a week of farewells; a final Mass in Providence brought tears to his eyes as he said goodbye to the people of Rhode Island.

As the Catholics of one diocese bid him farewell, Catholics in Central Massachusetts are preparing to welcome him to replace retiring Bishop Daniel P. Reilly.

"Bishop Reilly told me the two dioceses are similar," he said. The new bishop - like Bishop Reilly, a Providence native - admitted he has been to Worcester only twice, but he is eager to meet the people and get started. He said he has already received a warm welcome from Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger and the chancery staff.

May 9, 2004

Diocese ready for new bishop

Full cathedral expected for installation Mass

WORCESTER – Bishop Robert J. McManus, the diocese’s fifth bishop, will be installed at 2 p.m. Friday in St. Paul Cathedral.
The installation Mass is by invitation only because of space considerations. Invited guests represent a wide range of diocesan parishes, organization and employees, according to Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan, diocesan Chancellor. They are being asked to arrive at the cathedral before 1:30 p.m.

The installation Mass will begin at 1:30 with a procession of representatives from the Knights and Dames of Malta, the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, superiors of religious communities of men and women, leaders of ecumenical and interfaith communities and more than 300 concelebrating priests and deacons from the Worcester and Providence dioceses.

May 7, 2004

Bishop-elect knocks politicians

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The bishop-elect of the Worcester Diocese wants to make certain every priest, parishioner, and Catholic politician in the county understands precisely what it means to be a Catholic.

"Rejecting that teaching can have certain spiritual consequences," said Bishop Robert J. McManus, who views his new role as a way to help solidify authentic Catholic identity.

McManus said he also wants local Catholic politicians to know when they stray from church teaching, especially on issues that have the highest "moral valence."

"The most fundamental human right is the right to life, and it is most obviously attacked by abortion," McManus said. "You become complicit in doing evil, and that's a very serious matter."

May 3, 2004

GOOD SHEPARD CHURCH

"Our diocesan family will have the opportunity to congratulate Bishop McManus, our fifth Bishop of Worcester, on Sunday May 16 in the Atrium at the St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center, 20 Worcester Center

Boulevard, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. All are invited to come to the Atrium that day, where you will be able to personally meet and speak with our Bishop. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided. Free
parking. Please mark your calendars and plan now to attend!"

April 27, 2004

Bishop will not exclude politicians

Catholic activist "disappointed' by McManus' Communion stance New bishop will not exclude politicians

WORCESTER- Bishop Robert J. McManus, who will become fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Worcester on May 14, said the Vatican has issued no criteria that would exclude Catholic politicians from receiving Communion based on their public positions on so-called "life issues."
Ms. Letourneau's position is that Communion should be denied to political leaders, including Mr. Kerry or other Catholics who are opposed to teachings of the Catholic Church on abortion, homosexuality and other issues. She said bishops who fail to act will have "to answer to God for their cowardice."

March 9, 2004

Bishop McManus Named Bishop of Worcester

Bishop McManus has been Auxiliary Bishop of Providence for five years. He will be installed as Bishop of Worcester on Friday, May 14, 2004 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in that city. A farewell Mass in Providence is in the planning stages for early May.

This is my home'

PROVIDENCE - Bishop Robert J. McManus, 52, announced March 9 that he would be leaving the Diocese of Providence to become the fifth Bishop of Worcester, Mass. Citing Romans 8, he added, "For those who love God, everything works together for the good."

March 1, 2004

Bishop tells of life-changing phone call

PROVIDENCE – At a press conference in his home diocese last week Bishop Robert J. McManus, bishop-designate of the Diocese of Worcester, reminisced a bit about the diocese he will leave – the diocese in which he grew up.

Bishop McManus explained how he learned about his appointment. He said he received a voice mail on March 1, at about 11:30 a.m., from the secretary of the papal nuncio. He had just returned from a meeting in Woonsocket with members of the fraternal group, L’Union St. Jean Baptiste. He returned the call immediately and his end of the conversation was mostly “uh-huh, uh-huh, yes and thank you,” he joked.