June 11, 2020

Newly appointed St. Louis Archbishop Rozanski holds Springfield press conference

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath and Rebecca Drake

(iObserve photos/Rebecca Drake)

SPRINGFIELD – Twelve hours after returning from St. Louis, where he was introduced on June 10th as its new archbishop, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski held a press conference in Massachusetts at the site of his most recent assignment as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield.

At 11 a.m. in the Bishop Marshall Center adjacent to St. Michael’s Cathedral, here, “Bishop Mitch” spoke to local reporters about his new appointment, his experience in Springfield, and what he hopes to bring to the St. Louis Archdiocese.

When he first heard of his appointment as archbishop from the apostolic nuncio in the U.S., Archbishop Rozanski said, “I must admit I was literally speechless when he told me of the Holy Father’s appointment for St. Louis. I did feel a rush of emotions, especially one of sorrow in knowing that I would leave Springfield. But six years ago, at the Holy Father’s appointment, I left Baltimore, my hometown to come here.”

“This church quickly became my home and I am deeply grateful to the people of the Diocese of Springfield for their commitment to living out the Gospel and to work with me the past six years,” he said at the press conference.

In the Diocese of Springfield, Archbishop Rozanski oversaw the merger of the former Cathedral High and Holyoke Catholic High schools to form what is now Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield. This merger, he told reporters, was the “most difficult decision of my life.”

He also addressed questions about dealing with clergy abuse, diversity, and financial challenges faced by the diocese in recent years.

He said he has worked to achieve more transparency regarding clergy abuse claims, citing the recently formed 10-person task force which will review the soon-to-be released investigative report on claims of abuse by the late Springfield Bishop Christopher Weldon. He also cited the increase in Latino permanent deacons during his tenure and the lay involvement in parishes. And he admitted that parishes continue to struggle financially due to the pandemic-related closures of churches and the loss of weekly contributions.

Asked what he would tell the youth of the diocese in particular, who may be discouraged by the COVID-19 pandemic and the unrest and riots caused by racial tensions throughout the country, Archbishop Rozanski said, “Jesus is present with that Gospel message that never changes and, as Pope John Paul echoed many times, whenever Jesus appeared to his disciples he said, ‘Be not afraid. For young people times are tough and (they) may be discouraged but these times are transcended by the Lord Jesus, who helps us to see that the future can be better by what each one of us does.”

In spite of the challenges of the last six years, Archbishop Rozanski said, “One of my great joys was to spend a day in each parish,” visiting with parish staff and parishioners and celebrating Mass and sharing a meal with them. These parish visits, he said, will be “one of the joys and one of the legacies” of his time in western Massachusetts.

Stacy Dibbern, present secretary in the bishop’s office for the Springfield Diocese, agreed that “Bishop Mitch,” as he is called, has a pastoral touch. “I think the most important thing I’ve learned is he really cares deeply about everyone in his care.

“He described himself yesterday in St. Louis as a parish priest,” said Dibbern. “He’s really never happier than when he’s in a parish working with young people, old people — he’s a pastoral man.”

Asked what advice he would give to his successor in the Springfield Diocese, Archbishop Rozanski said he would encourage him to listen to and learn from the clergy, women and men religious, and the laypeople of the diocese.

“I am very proud of the lay involvement in the parishes,” he said, adding that he will continue to pray for them and the clergy and religious of the diocese.

The new archbishop also said that goodbyes will be hard and he will try to do as much as he can before he leaves for his installation in St. Louis in late August.

Many in the Springfield Diocese would likely agree with diocesan spokesman Mark Dupont, who said, “I say it’s surprising but it really wasn’t for those who have worked with the bishop these past six years. He has displayed an episcopal style that’s inclusive, pastoral, Gospel-based — certainly one that enriches the people here in western Massachusetts.

“So it wasn’t surprising, but especially for his staff, it’s a sad day but we are very proud of him,” Dupont said.

A video version of this story will be featured on the June 13 edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.