Province of hartford

Here is the second post of my blog. There will be a new feature suggested by a reader. I will compare current Provincial statistics to those of 2000. My source for this is the Catholic Almanac, an annual publication of Our Sunday Visitor. It is a good source for many things Catholic. Since I did not do this for the Province of Omaha, here is the comparison. Nebraska has the same number of Catholics in 2016--372,000--as in 2000. But the percentage went from 22 percent in 2000 to 20 percent in 2016. For the United States, the number of Catholics increased by almost 9 million between 2000 and 2016, but the percentage remained at slightly over 21 percent.

This is the second blog post. I will try to make 2-3 posts per month. There are 30+ provinces, so you can do the math.

Pope Pius XII established the Province of Hartford in 1953. The Province consists of the Archdiocese of Hartford and three dioceses in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Province has 1.8 million Catholics, 40 percent of the total population—the second highest percentage of any of the 32 provinces in the United States. In 2000, the Province had 2.0 million Catholics, 46 percent of the total population.

Map of the Province

Connecticut

Catholic History of Connecticut

Several English settlements, including Windsor, Hartford, Saybrook, Wethersfield, and New Haven, were established in what is now Connecticut in the 1630s. Almost all of the white residents of Connecticut were English Puritans (later referred to as Congregationalists) up until the 1840s when Irish immigrants came in great numbers. In 1639 the people of Connecticut adopted the first written constitution in history—the “Fundamental Orders." This document was considered progressive at the time as citizens were provided a great deal of autonomy from the King of England. Nevertheless, under this constitution, Congregationalism was the established church supported by tax dollars. This remained true until the Constitution was rewritten in 1818.

By the early 1830s, there were enough Catholics, about 700, to support churches in Hartford (Holy Trinity) and New Haven (St. Mary). Pope Gregory XVI created the Diocese of Hartford in 1843, consisting of Connecticut and Rhode Island. At that time, Catholics numbered about 10,000 in the new diocese, about equally divided between the two states. They were served by only 6 priests. In the second half of the 19^th Century, Irish, Germans, French Canadians, Poles, and Italians, came to Connecticut cities to work in manufacturing jobs. By 1908, the Catholic population of Connecticut was almost 400,000.

Further growth in Connecticut—the Hartford diocese had the second largest Catholic population of all U.S. dioceses—led Pope Pius XII to create the Province of Hartford in 1953, comprising the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Diocese of Providence, and the newly created Dioceses of Bridgeport and Norwich in Connecticut.

Archdiocese of Hartford

The Archdiocese of Hartford consists of 3 counties (Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven) in central Connecticut. The archdiocese has 553,000 Catholics (28 percent of the total population) in 213 parishes.

Bishops of Hartford

William Tyler (1806-1849), first Bishop of Hartford (1844-1849).

Born in Maryland, converted to Catholicism, and ordained a priest in 1829 for the Diocese of Boston.

William Tyler was consecrated bishop in Hartford, but chose to live in Providence, Rhode Island—his Diocese consisted of all Connecticut and Rhode Island. Of the 10,000 Catholics in his diocese, only 600 lived in Hartford, versus 2,000 in Providence. Bishop Tyler, with financial help from the Vatican, expanded the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence. He was an active pastor for the Cathedral parish—starting a school, providing food and money to the poor, and encouraging temperance. He led a poor diocese and struggled to find sufficient funds to carry out the Church’s mission. He often visited the poor and sick and he recruited priests from Ireland to serve in the Diocese. He died in 1849 of rheumatic fever.

Bernard O’Reilly (1803-1856), Bishop of Hartford (1850-1856).

Born in Ireland and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of New York in 1831.

Like his predecessor, Bishop O’Reilly took up residence in Province. There were about 45,000 Catholics in the Diocese in 1850, served by only a dozen priests and a similar number of parishes. O’Reilly recruited priests from Ireland and was able to expand the number of churches in the Diocese to 34 during his six year tenure as Bishop. He also invited the Irish Mercy Sisters to teach in Providence’s Catholic schools. The growing numbers of Irish in Providence concerned the anti-Catholic Know-Nothing Party. Two thousand men and boys gathered near the Mercy Sisters’ convent in 1855. Bishop O'Reilly and Mayor Edward Knowles of Providence met with the crowd, who eventually dispersed peacefully. O’Reilly wrote newspaper articles defending Catholicism. Bishop O’Reilly went to Ireland in 1855 to recruit priests. Returning early the next year, his steamship sank in the Irish Sea, with no survivors.

Francis P. MacFarland (1819-1874), Bishop of Hartford (1858-1874).

Born in Pennsylvania and ordained a priest for the Diocese of New York in 1845.

MacFarland was named Bishop of Hartford in 1858, after declining the appointment as Vicar Apostolic of Florida the previous year. Bishop MacFarland also lived in Providence, at least initially. MacFarland made frequent pastoral visits to all the parishes in the Diocese and spoke frequently with Protestant groups which dampened anti-Catholicism. The Civil War led to the growth in manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and Rhode Island and brought Irish, French-Canadian, and German immigrants to work in the factories and mills. This led to the need for more churches, which Bishop MacFarland built and staffed with new priests—he ordained 34 priests between 1867 and 1871. He established the first national church (one specifically for an immigrant group) in 1868—St. Boniface for the Germans in New Haven. This growth also led to the establishment of a separate diocese for Rhode Island—the Diocese of Providence—in 1872. This left the Diocese of Hartford with 140,000 Catholics in 76 parishes served by 77 priests. Bishop MacFarland moved to Hartford and began the efforts that led to the construction of the first Cathedral of St. Joseph prior to his death in 1874. He left many writings and theological books to the Diocese upon his death.

Thomas Galberry, O.S.A. (1833-1878), Bishop of Hartford (1876-1878).

Born in Ireland and ordained an Augustinian priest in 1856.
Also served as first U.S. provincial of the Augustinians (1874-1876).

Bishop Galberry initially declined Pope Pius IX’s appointment, but then accepted under obedience to the Pope. Bishop Galberry initiated construction of the first Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford in 1877, established other parishes, and established a diocesan newspaper. He discouraged Catholic ethnicity in favor of an American identity. Not in good health, he died of a hemorrhage in 1878 on his way to Villanova University, where he had once served as president and where he hoped to recover his health.

Lawrence S. McMahon (1835-1893), Bishop of Hartford (1879-1893).

Born in Canada, grew up in Massachusetts, and ordained a priest for Diocese of Boston in 1860.

Bishop McMahon served as a chaplain during the Civil War. As Bishop, McMahon established 48 new parishes—including national parishes for Poles, Lithuanians, Italians, and French-Canadians—and many new schools. He was also responsible for completing the construction of the first Cathedral of St. Joseph—including the collection of more than $500,000 to pay for it. While McMahon served as Bishop, Father Michael McGivney organized a group of Catholic men in New Haven in 1882, who became the first Knights of Columbus. These first Knights were mostly Irish, but Bishop McMahon ensured that the Knights were open to all Catholic men. Bishop McMahon died in 1893.

Michael Tierney (1839-1908), Bishop of Hartford (1894-1908).

Born in Ireland and, grew up in Norwalk, and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Hartford in 1866.

Bishop Tierney was the first priest from the Diocese of Hartford to become Bishop of Hartford. As Bishop, Tierney established St. Thomas Seminary, a home for the aged, an industrial school, and five hospitals, as well as many new parishes and schools. He tried to visit every parish in the diocese at least once a year, supported labor unions and temperance, and embraced Catholic ethnicity. He ordered a standardized school curriculum, improved teacher training, and established a missionary group to hold retreats for Catholics and non-Catholics. He died in 1908. During his tenure, the number of Diocesan Catholics increased from 250,000 to 395,000, the number of parishes from 98 to 167, and the number of schools from 48 to 80.

John J. Nilan (1855-1934), Bishop of Hartford (1910-1934).

Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and ordained in 1878 for Archdiocese of Boston.

Bishop Nilan established almost 70 new parishes to serve Connecticut’s growing and ethnically diverse Catholic population. He also established Albertus Magnus College in New Haven and St. Joseph College in West Hartford. He died in 1934.

Maurice F. McAuliffe (1875-1944), Bishop of Hartford (1934-1944).

Born in Hartford and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Hartford in 1900.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Hartford (1923-1934).

Bishop McAuliffe built new parishes (needed because of new workers at defense plants), new schools (including three colleges), and new hospitals, including an infant and maternity hospital. He promoted family life through groups such as the Legion of Decency and the Catholic Youth Organization. He also improved charitable services and services for Catholic workers (including a home for unemployed men) and Catholic minority groups (including two centers for African-Americans). He supported the establishment of the Jesuit-run Fairfield University, which opened one year after his death in 1944.

Archbishops of Hartford

Henry J. O’Brien (1896-1976), Bishop of Hartford (1945-1953) and first Archbishop of Hartford (1953-1968).

Born in New Haven and ordained a priest in 1923 for the Diocese of Hartford.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Hartford (1940-1945).

Like Bishop McAuliffe, O’Brien had previously served as rector of St. Thomas Seminary and as auxiliary bishop of Hartford. The population boom in the years following the Second World War led to the establishment of 45 new parishes by Bishop O’Brien. Connecticut was split into the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Dioceses of Bridgeport and Norwich in 1953. O’Brien became the first Archbishop of Hartford at that time and led an Archdiocese that had 750,000 Catholics in 279 parishes served by 927 priests. O’Brien dedicated the new Cathedral of St. Joseph in 1962 as a replacement for the building that burned in 1956 and he began implementation of the decrees of the Second Vatican Council, which he attended. Archbishop O’Brien promoted racial equality, condemned racial segregation, and established Spanish-language programs for his priests. He resigned in 1968.

John F. Whealon (1921-1991), Archbishop of Hartford (1968-1991).

Born in Ohio and ordained a priest in 1945 for the Diocese of Cleveland.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Cleveland (1961-1966) and Bishop of Erie, Pennsylvania (1966-1968).

Archbishop Whealon continued the implementation of the decrees of the Second Vatican Council and improved programs for the underprivileged. He established the fifth U.S. permanent diaconate program and appointed women as Church administrators. He communicated with Catholics through a weekly column in the Archdiocesan newspaper and through a daily radio program. He was noted as a scripture scholar and taught each week at Holy Apostles Seminary. Whealon strongly opposed abortion and was also one of the first U.S. bishops to establish an AIDS ministry. Whealon was also active in ecumenical groups. Archbishop Whealon died in 1991 while undergoing surgery.

Daniel A. Cronin (1927- ), Archbishop of Hartford (1991-2003).

Born in Massachusetts and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1952.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Boston (1968-1970) and Bishop of Fall River, Massachusetts (1970-1991).

Shortly after taking office, Archbishop Cronin chaired an Archdiocesan Synod of priests, religious, and laity in 1996, to make recommendations to improve all aspects of the Archdiocese. He established ministries for Hispanics and African-Americans. Archbishop Cronin retired in 2003.

Henry J. Mansell (1937- ), Archbishop of Hartford, (2003-2013).

Born in New York City and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York in 1962.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of New York (1992-1995) and Bishop of Buffalo, New York (1995-2003).

Archbishop Mansell helped initiate the Malta House of Care mobile clinic to provide free healthcare to the uninsured and in 2009, he opened Cathedral Green, an affordable housing development in the former Cathedral school. Mansell also started a tuition assistance program for parochial school students and a financial assistance program for parishioners struggling with the costs of healthcare, food, clothing, housing, or other essential needs. He established an institute for Hispanic families. Mansell began a wellness program for Archdiocesan priests and built a home for retired priests, which opened in 2007. Mansell agreed in 2005 that the Archdiocese would pay $22 million to settle sexual abuse claims from the previous 30 to 40 years brought by 43 people against 14 priests. Mansell also led opposition to a 2009 bill in the Connecticut legislature that would place Catholic dioceses under lay control rather than under the control of a bishop. [This is something you would expect in the 19^th Century, not in 2009. Unfortunately, the bill was introduced by misguided Catholics.]

Current Archbishop

Leonard P. Blair was appointed Archbishop of Hartford by Pope Francis in 2013. He was born in Detroit in 1949 and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1976. He previously served as a Roman Curia official, auxiliary bishop of Detroit (1999-2003), and Bishop of Toledo, Ohio (2003-2013).

The Cathedral

Cathedral of St. Joseph
140 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06105

The Cathedral is named for St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus. He was a carpenter and taught this trade to Jesus. Devotion to St. Joseph dates to the early days of Christianity in the Eastern churches, but only in the last 500 or so years has Joseph gained his deserved respect in Western Christendom. He is the patron saint of many countries, as well as being the patron saint of workers and fathers. He is also known as the patron of a happy death, since he presumably died in the presence of Jesus, the Son of God, and Mary, the Mother of God. His feast day is March 19. A statue of St. Joseph stands over the front doors of the Cathedral.

O Blessed Saint Joseph, faithful guardian and protector of virgins, to whom God entrusted Jesus and Mary, I implore you by the love which you did bear them, to preserve me from every defilement of soul and body that I may always serve them in holiness and purity of love. Amen.

Even though the Diocese of Hartford was established in 1843, it was not until 1872, when Bishop Francis MacFarland moved to Hartford from Providence, that much thought was given to establishing a cathedral in Hartford. (Since the first three bishops resided in Providence, that city’s Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul served as the cathedral for the diocese.) Bishop MacFarland purchased property on Farmington Avenue in Hartford 1872 intending to build a Cathedral, a residence for himself, and a convent for the Sisters of Mercy. The convent was built first (in 1873) and construction of the Cathedral began in 1876. St. Peter’s Church served as the pro-Cathedral during construction. By 1881 the basement was completed and opened for worship. Construction was completed in 1892.

The Cathedral was designed by Patrick C. Keely in an early Gothic design meant to resemble the Basilica of Notre Dame in Montreal. It was constructed with brown stone and featured two towers at the front of the Cathedral. The Cathedral had a seating capacity of 2,000. This magnificent building caught fire on the last day of 1956 and burned beyond repair.

Plans for a new cathedral were quickly underway. During construction of the new cathedral, the Church of St. Lawrence O’Toole, in Hartford, served as the pro-cathedral for the Archdiocese. Cathedral parishioners during this time worshiped first in the State Armory and later in the auditorium of the Aetna Life Insurance Company building. The current Cathedral of St. Joseph was built on the site of the old cathedral and was dedicated in 1962.

The Cathedral was designed by Eggers and Higgins of New York in a modern design with gothic and byzantine influences. It is constructed with reinforced concrete and Alabama limestone. The building measures 284 feet long and 156 feet wide and seats 1,750. The bell tower houses 12 carillon bells and rises, with its cross, to 281 feet above the ground. Entering the Cathedral, there are three bronze doors, sculpted by Enzo Assenza, with scenes representing the Church Triumphant (Center), the Church Militant (West) and The Church Suffering (East). Above the entry doors is a travertine frieze of St. Joseph and other figures constructed by Tommaso Peccini.

Dividing the narthex from the nave is a clear glass screen etched by Giovanni Hajnal with scenes representing Christ’s kingdom in heaven and on earth. Along the nave are 24 stained glass windows that show scenes of Jesus the Savior from the Gospel. The windows measure 67 feet high by 13.5 feet wide and were designed by Jean Barillet of Paris. Two other windows of the same size behind the altar contain symbols of the Sacraments. Lower windows in the nave show the Old Testament prophets who prefigured Christ. The Stations of the Cross were sculpted by Giovanni Hajnal in the limestone piers. The Cathedral has eight chapels—most notably the Blessed Sacrament and Madonna chapels. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel contains the Tabernacle and has nine windows designed by Pierre Millous that depict stories from the Gospels. The Madonna chapel is dedicated to the Mother of Our Savior and the altar and windows depict themes from Mary’s life and her role in the Church.

A tripod baldachin over the main altar features the Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, and Michael as sculpted by Gleb Derujinsky. The ceramic tile mural behind the main altar was designed by Enzo Assenza and depicts Our Savior in Glory from the Book of Revelation. It measures 80 feet by 40 feet and is considered the largest ceramic mural in the world. The four manual Austin pipe organ has over 8,000 pipes—the smallest being four inches and the largest over 30 feet.

Additional information, including a tour, can be found on the Cathedral website cathedralofsaintjoseph.com. Also see the Archdiocesan website at archdioceseofhartford.org.

The Cathedral is located just west of downtown Hartford. It serves 500 families and has three weekend masses.

All pictures are from the Cathedral website, except the first, which is from wikipedia.

Also located in the Archdiocese is the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury. The first Catholic church in Waterbury—St. Peter’s—was founded in 1847. The parish was renamed for the Immaculate Conception of Our Blessed Mother in 1857. The current Renaissance-style church building was completed in 1928. The basilica features a gold-dome with a mosaic of the Virgin Mary and beautiful stained glass windows. Pope Benedict XVI designated the church as a minor basilica in 2008. Basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship.

Both pictures are from the Basilica's website.

Diocese of Bridgeport

The diocese consists of Fairfield County—the Diocese is one of three U.S. dioceses to consist of a single county. The diocese has 434,000 Catholics (46 percent of the total population) in 82 parishes.

Bishops of Bridgeport

Lawrence J. Shehan (1898-1984), first Bishop of Bridgeport (1953-1961).

Born in Baltimore and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1922.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Baltimore and Washington (1945-1953) and Archbishop of Baltimore (1961-1974).

Shehan set up an organizational structure for the new Diocese and convened a synod to standardize rules and practices. He established 18 new parishes, 3 new high schools, and a home for the elderly. Bishop Sheehan established ministries for Hispanic, Portuguese, and Brazilian immigrants, and promoted youth activities and vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He was named Archbishop of Baltimore in 1961 and was named a Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1965.

Walter W. Curtis (1913-1997), Bishop of Bridgeport (1961-1988).

Born in New Jersey and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Newark in 1937.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Newark, New Jersey (1957-1961).

Bishop Curtis established new parishes and parish schools—he wanted every parish to have a school—and founded Sacred Heart University in Fairfield in 1963. He also established two new high schools. He attended the Second Vatican Council and implemented its decrees. Curtis also improved diocesan health care services, ministries to Hispanic and Asian immigrants, and ministries to divorced and remarried Catholics. He built two nursing homes and began a charitable foundation. He retired in 1988.

Edward M Egan (1932-2015), Bishop of Bridgeport (1988-2000).

Born in Illinois and was ordained a priest in 1957 for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of New York (1985-1988) and Archbishop of New York (2000-2009).

Bishop Egan worked to improve vocations to the priesthood by establishing a new seminary and also took steps to improve Catholic education, in part by funding schools on a regional basis. Egan also built St. Catherine Academy to educate children with special needs. He expanded the work of Catholic Charities so as to better serve AIDS patients, the elderly, inner-city schools, and retired priests. He brought in priests from Columbia to serve the Diocese’s large Hispanic population and he built a home for retired priests. He also better structured the Diocese’s funding and endowment programs. He was appointed Archbishop of New York in 2000 and named a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

William E. Lori (1951- ), Bishop of Bridgeport (2001-2012).

Born in Kentucky and was ordained a priest in 1977 for the Archdiocese of Washington.
Serves as Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus (since 2005).
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Washington (1995-2001) and serves as Archbishop of Baltimore (since 2012).

Bishop Lori restructured the administration, funding, and curriculum for the Diocese’s Catholic schools to ensure quality for all schools and especially for inner-city schools. He promoted vocations and ordained dozens of new priests for the Diocese. He began a Lenten program in 2009 that promoted the Sacrament of Reconciliation that led many back to the Faith. He invited several orders of religious women to serve in the Diocese and modernized the administrative and financial practices of parishes. His 2006 "Following in the Footsteps of Christ," program promoted ways to spread the Gospel. Bishop Lori took steps to prevent clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese by removing offenders and creating new policies. He was a leader for the U.S. bishops on this issue as well as protecting religious liberties. Bishop Lori was appointed Archbishop of Baltimore in 2012.

Current Bishop

Frank Caggiano was appointed Bishop of Bridgeport by Pope Francis in 2013. He was born in Brooklyn in 1959 and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1987. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn (2006-2013).

The Cathedral

St. Augustine Cathedral
359 Washington Avenue
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was born a Catholic in what is now

Algeria

, but in his late teens joined the Manichees, a heretical sect, and about the same time, fathered a son out of wedlock. He eventually returned to the Church, influenced in part by St. Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan in what is now

Italy

. Augustine went on to become one of the greatest theologians—he is their patron saint. He was the author of “Confessions” and “City of God”—books that are still widely read. He became Bishop of Hippo, in northern Africa, in 395, and was declared one of the four original Doctors of the Church in 1298. His feast day is August 28.

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. (Prayer by St. Augustine)

The first parish in Bridgeport was established in 1842 as St. James parish. This brick church was located at Arch Street and Washington Avenue. The parish was renamed for St. Augustine and the current church building was constructed between 1866 and 1868. St. Augustine’s became the Cathedral of the new Diocese of Bridgeport in 1953. The church was designed by noted Catholic architect Patrick Charles Keely in the Gothic Revival style. The church seats 750.

The limestone Cathedral has a single steeple and bell tower. The Cathedral’s pipe organ is an Opus 124 made by the A. Thompson-Allen Company in 2014. The existing organ has three manuals, and 42 ranks of pipework (almost 2,500 pipes), with a total of 54 speaking stops. Some additional information can be found on the Cathedral website, thecathedralparish.org and the Diocesan website at bridgeportdiocese.com.

The Cathedral is located near downtown Bridgeport and is paired with St. Patrick’s parish. Together these churches have eight weekend masses—including one in Spanish and one in Vietnamese. Once a month there is a Mass said in Igbo-Nigerian. The parish elementary school has over 200 students.

Both pictures are in the public domain.

There are two other notable churches in the Diocese, both in Stamford. One is St. Vladimir Cathedral—the cathedral parish for the Ukrainian-rite Diocese of Stamford—one of four Ukrainian-rite dioceses in the United States. The diocese ministers to 14,000 Ukrainian Catholics in 51 parishes in the State of New York and four New England states. Ukrainian-rite and other Eastern-rite Catholic dioceses will be discussed later.

The other is the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist. St. John’s was established as a parish in 1854—the first parish in Stamford. The early parishioners, mostly Irish Catholics, built the current church between 1875 and 1886. The basilica has 72 stained glass windows. Pope Benedict XVI designated the church as a minor basilica in 2009. Basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship. The Basilica’s website is stjohnstamford.com.

The first picture is from the Diocesan website and the second from the Basilicas website.

Diocese of Norwich

The diocese consists of 4 counties—Middlesex, New London, Tolland, and Windham—in eastern Connecticut, as well as Fishers Island, New York. The diocese has 238,000 Catholics (32 percent of the total population) in 76 parishes.

Bishops of Norwich

Bernard J. Flanagan (1908-1998), first Bishop of Norwich (1953-1959).

Born in Vermont and ordained a priest in 1931 for the Diocese of Burlington.
Also served as Bishop of Worcester, Massachusetts (1959-1983).

Bishop Flanagan took over a new Diocese which had 124,000 Catholics in 53 parishes. He established 6 new parishes, opened several schools, including the first regional Catholic high school in the diocese, and worked to improve the spiritual and temporal needs of the elderly and mentally ill. He also focused on the needs of the members of the armed forces stationed within the diocese. He was appointed Bishop of Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1959.

Vincent J. Hines (1912-1990), Bishop of Norwich (1959-1975).

Born in New Haven and ordained a priest in 1937 in France.

Bishop Hines established three Catholic high schools and appointed the first nun to head a diocesan school system in Connecticut. He also set up committees to get the views of the priests and nuns in his diocese and established a retirement program for priests. He attended the Second Vatican Council and started 11 new parishes. He retired in 1975 due to poor health.

Daniel P. Reilly (1928- ), Bishop of Norwich (1975-1994).

Born in Rhode Island ordained a priest for the Diocese of Providence in 1953.
Also served as Bishop of Worcester, Massachusetts (1994-2004).

Bishop Reilly was a successful fund-raiser which allowed improvement and expansion of a number of Catholic ministries including those for the handicapped, pro-life activities, Hispanics, youth ministry, campus ministry. He also established 8 new parishes, a marriage encounter program, and a counseling center for clergy and religious. He was appointed Bishop of Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1994.

Daniel A. Hart (1927-2008), Bishop of Norwich (1995-2003).

Born in Massachusetts and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1953.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Boston (1976-1995).

Bishop Hart established a development campaign that established the Catholic Foundation, used to support Diocesan services. He established the diocesan website and expanded Catholic Charities within the Diocese. He also apologized to local Jews for any actions taken by Catholics during the Holocaust and took a strong stand against clergy involved in sexual abuse. He also created a partnership with a diocese in Haiti aimed at helping the Haitian people. He encouraged the establishment of the Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut. Bishop Hart retired in 2003.

Current Bishop

Michael R. Cote was appointed Bishop of Norwich by Pope John Paul II in 2003. He was born in Maine in 1949 and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Portland, Maine, in 1975. He previously served as an official at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. (1989-1995) and as auxiliary bishop of Portland (1995-2003).

The Cathedral

Cathedral of St. Patrick

213 Broadway

Norwich, Connecticut 06360

St. Patrick (5^th Century) was from a privileged family in

Britain

—his grandfather was a priest and his father a deacon. As a teenager, he was captured by pirates and forced into slavery in

Ireland

. He escaped, made his way home, and became a priest. He was appointed to be the second Bishop of Ireland and went there in about 432. He had great success in bringing the Irish people to the Catholic faith. He is one of the patron saints of

Ireland

. His feast day is, of course, March 17.

O God, Who sent Thy Confessor and Bishop, Blessed Patrick, to preach your glory to the nations, grant, through his merits and intercession, that what you command us to do, we may, by your mercy, be enabled to perform. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Norwich’s first Catholic church—St. Mary’s—was dedicated in 1845. It soon became apparent that St. Mary’s was too small to accommodate Norwich’s growing Catholic population. Father Daniel Mullen, the pastor of St. Mary’s, bought land on Broadway during 1869 and 1870 for a new church. Construction began in 1871, funded by recent Irish immigrants, who donated 10 cents a week and their own labor to the new church. This new church—St. Patrick’s—was dedicated in 1879. St. Mary’s closed the same year. St. Patrick’s became the Cathedral for the new Diocese of Norwich in 1953.

The Gothic Revival building was designed James Murphy from Providence and features a 216-foot bell tower with a 3,600 pound bell. The Cathedral is constructed with 1,600 light blue Monson granite stones, each weighing 10 tons. The Cathedral is 210 feet long and 100 feet wide at the transept.

Inside, a baldachin rises above the main crème and verde marble altar. The two main windows features scenes from the life of St. Patrick and were designed and built in Germany. Smaller windows show Saints Bonaventure, Gregory, Ambrose, and Jerome. Other windows show the Annunciation as well as portraits of Luke and John. The Cathedral organ (Opus 1267)—built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co. of Boston—was installed in 1954 and renovated in 2002. Fluted Corinthian columns support the Gothic-ribbed ceiling. St. Anne (with her daughter Mary) and St. Anthony are featured on polychrome images on the sanctuary columns. St. Patrick and St. Bridget are rendered in gold on the baldachin. Side altars feature marble statues of Mary and Joseph.

The Cathedral website is stpatsnorwich.org and the Diocesan website is norwichdiocese.org. The Cathedral is located less than a mile north of downtown Norwich and has five weekend masses. The parish elementary school has over 200 students.

All three pictures are from the public domain.

Diocese of Providence

The diocese consists of the State of Rhode Island. The diocese has 620,000 Catholics (59 percent of the total population) in 141 parishes. It is the only State with a majority Catholic population.

Bishops of Providence

Thomas F. Hendricken (1827-1886), first Bishop of Providence (1872-1886).

Born in Ireland and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Hartford in 1851.

Thomas Hendricken began construction of the current Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in 1878 and brought in religious orders to operate schools and a home for the elderly. He also faced a crisis when a French Canadian parish objected to his choice of pastor saying that a bishop was obligated to appoint a pastor of the same ethnic background as the congregation. (The Vatican initially agreed with the laity, but reversed its decision in the wake of objections from American bishops.) Bishop Hendricken also won the right for priests to minister to Catholic inmates in state prisons. He also established a diocesan newspaper in 1875 and established more than a dozen parishes to keep up with population growth. The Catholic population of the Diocese, which at that time consisted of Rhode Island and part of Massachusetts, increased from 125,000 to 195,000 during Hendricken’s tenure as Bishop. He died in 1886.

Matthew Harkins (1845-1921), Bishop of Providence (1887-1921).

Born in Boston and was ordained a priest in for the Diocese of Boston in 1869.

Bishop Harkins established new parishes and schools to meet the needs of the large numbers of Catholic immigrants that came to Rhode Island at the turn of the 20^th Century—including 12 parishes for French Canadians, seven for Italians, six for the Polish, and two for the Portuguese. He more than tripled the number of diocesan priests and built institutions, often staffed by religious orders, to serve the neediest among his flock—the poor, the sick, the elderly, and orphans. He helped win repeal of a law passed by anti-Catholic legislators that removed the tax exemption from private and parochial schools. He also helped establish Providence College in 1919 and sent his priests to universities to raise their educational levels. At the time of his death in 1921, there were over 275,000 Catholics in the Diocese in 101 parishes served by 270 diocesan priests, despite the loss of the Massachusetts portion of the Diocese in 1904.

William A. Hickey (1869-1933), Bishop of Providence (1921-1933).

Born in Massachusetts and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1893.
Also served as coadjutor bishop of Providence (1919-1921).

Bishop Hickey established new and expanded existing diocesan high schools and raised money to improve facilities for diocesan charitable organizations. He also appointed a superintendent for the Catholic schools and established a Catholic teachers’ college. He also excommunicated 65 French Canadians for causing a public scandal. (Some members of the French Canadian community felt that the bishop’s education efforts were a threat to their ethnic identity. Those excommunicated later reconciled with the Church.) Bishop Hickey died from a heart attack in 1933.

Francis P. Keough (1890-1961), Bishop of Providence (1934-1947).

Born in Connecticut and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Hartford in 1916.
Also served as Archbishop of Baltimore (1947-1961).

Bishop Keough was able to resolve some of the problems between French- and English-speaking Catholics through his ability to speak French. He paid off the large Diocesan debt he inherited, but also was able to open new high schools and elementary schools and establish a seminary and help start Salve Regina College for women. He encouraged youth activities, such as the Catholic Youth Organization and opened an orphanage for needy children. He established “labor schools” to provide solutions for management and labor to resolve differences. He was an advocate for decency in motion pictures and for better reading habits for children. He was appointed Archbishop of Baltimore in 1947 at which time the Diocese had 425,000 Catholics and 344 Diocesan priests.

Russell J. McVinney (1898-1971), Bishop of Providence (1948-1971).

Born in Providence and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Providence in 1924.

McVinney was the first, and so far only, Bishop of Providence to be a native of Providence. He oversaw the building of 28 new parishes, 40 new schools, and other institutions to serve the post-war population shifts. He encouraged spiritual growth through lay organizations, such as the Holy Name Society, retreats, and recitation of the rosary. He built Our Lady of Fatima Hospital for the chronically ill and sought social justice for the poor and disadvantaged. He attended the Second Vatican Council and worked to bring about the liturgical and ecumenical reforms called for by the Council. McVinney spoke out against immoral practices, but changes in the Church were paralleled by changes in American Society during the 1960s resulting in lower attendance at Mass and priests and religious leaving their vocations. Bishop McVinney died of a heart attack in 1971; two months after one of his auxiliary bishops left the priesthood.

Louis E. Gelineau (1928- ), Bishop of Providence (1972-1997).

Born in Burlington, Vermont and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Burlington in 1954.

Bishop Gelineau integrated new immigrants from Cape Verde, Southeast Asia, and from Latin America and the Caribbean into existing parishes. He also established a Lay Ministry Program to train deacons and others to serve in various diocesan ministries. He developed a strategic plan for the Diocese and started a development program. Declining enrollments led to the closure of some parish schools and the consolidation of others, but religious education and spiritual renewal programs grew. Bishop Gelineau was accused of mishandling sexual abuse cases in the Diocese and he resigned in 1997.

Robert E. Mulvee (1930- ), Bishop of Providence (1997-2005).

Born in Boston and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire in 1957.
Also served as Bishop of Wilmington, Delaware (1985-1995) and coadjutor bishop of Providence (1995-1997).

I was not able to find out much about Bishop Mulvee, other than that he settled 36 lawsuits for $13.5 million. The lawsuits, dating back 10 years, accused 10 Diocesan priests and one nun of sexually abusing children. He retired in 2005.

Current Bishop

Thomas J. Tobin was appointed Bishop of Providence by Pope John Paul II in 2005. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1948 and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1973. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh (1992-1996) and Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio (1996-2005).

The Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul

Cathedral Square

Providence, Rhode Island 02903

St. Peter, originally known as Simon, was the first apostle chosen by Jesus. Peter is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, and we know that he was a fisherman by trade, that he was married, that he was the leader of the apostles, and that he often tried the Lord’s patience. After the Ascension of our Lord, Peter became the leader of the early church, eventually going to Rome to become the first Bishop of Rome, or Pope. He was crucified there in approximately 64 A.D. St. Paul, originally known as Saul, persecuted the early church, but was converted to Christianity by a vision of Jesus. He spread the message of Christ to communities throughout much of the Roman Empire, becoming the Apostle to the Gentiles. Many of his letters to early Christian communities have been retained in the New Testament. He was beheaded in Rome either in 64 or 67 A.D. The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29.

O God, Whose right hand raised up blessed Peter, when he walked upon the water and began to sink, and thrice delivered his fellow-Apostle Paul from the depths of the sea, when he suffered shipwreck: graciously hear us and grant, by the merits of them both, that we also may attain everlasting glory: Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

The parish of Saints Peter & Paul was founded in 1837 and the first church building was completed shortly thereafter. This small church was later expanded and became the Cathedral for the Diocese of Hartford when it was created in 1843. (The first three Bishops of Hartford chose to live in Providence rather than Hartford.) It became the Cathedral for the Diocese of Providence when it was created in 1872. The first Bishop of Providence, Thomas Hendricken, began making plans to build a new Cathedral since the existing building was in poor condition. He built a temporary cathedral in 1876 and began construction of the current Cathedral in 1878. Bishop Hendricken built the Cathedral only as funding would allow—he did not want the Diocese to be in debt—and it was dedicated 1889. The Cathedral was renovated in 2013 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Cathedral was designed in Gothic Revival style by Patrick Charles Keely, a noted Catholic architect. The Cathedral is constructed with Connecticut Brownstone and is 120 feet wide. Twin square towers rise to 156 feet at the front of the Cathedral and one of the towers houses the first automatic Angelus clock in the United States.

The main altar is made of Verde Issorie marble from France and above the altar is a 3000 pound bronze testa (shown in the last picture below). The bronze tabernacle was made by Spanish artisans who spent 58 hours filing the finial—the small ornament on top of the tabernacle. The east circular window shows scenes from the passion and death of our Lord and the dominant colors and red and blue. The west circular window depicts scenes from the life of our Blessed Mother and the dominant color is blue. Other stained glass windows in the Cathedral are made from antique Munich glass and depict scenes from the Old Testament and the New Testament. The floors are made of marble and the pews from Appalachian oak. The Cathedral pipe organ is one of the largest in North America and was built by Casavant Frères of Quebec in 1971. It is an Opus 3145 tracker organ with over 6,600 pipes.

There are more pictures—a virtual tour—on the cathedral’s website at providencecathedral.org. The diocesan website is dioceseofprovidence.org. The Cathedral is located in downtown Providence and has four weekend masses. The Cathedral can seat over 1,400 people.