June 18, 2021

Bishop Byrne reflects on his first six months as head of Springfield Diocese

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

(Catholic Communications file photo/Gillian Jones)

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne took time to reflect on the first six months of his tenure as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield. The interview will can be seen on the next two Sundays after the “Chalice of Salvation,” Mass, which airs weekly at 10 a.m. on WWLP-22 News.

The bishop spoke of his recent participation in the Diocesan Wide Eucharistic Rosary Procession, held Sunday, June 6 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Northampton.

“That was magnificent. It was hot but we had over 600 people there praising and worshipping our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Then, to bring our Lord in the Eucharist, and process with him through the streets,” Bishop Byrne said. “Then, one of the times that was very heartwarming for me was the end when they thanked the policemen. It was really a joyful, joyful day and such a sign of vitality and hope here in the diocese.”

The bishop also spoke about the sex abuse crisis, his goal of transparency, and the recent expansion of the list of credibly accused priests.

“I announced that I was going to do this before I was even ordained a bishop because I really believe we needed to make sure that victim-survivors knew they could come forward or to see they really have been validated in their trauma and in their pain,” he said. “And so we need to clean the wound so we can begin to heal, not just for them, but begin to heal as a church. If people are ever going to begin to trust the church again, especially church leaders and especially bishops, then we have to be completely transparent and we have to communicate. That’s why I wrote everyone in the diocese a letter to make sure that they were hearing from me.”

Bishop Byrne discussed his pastoral letter, “Back to Better,” which he released before Easter, and the “Five Things” he learned since becoming bishop.

“…Number four is you have to do a full Holy Hour no matter what. I take Zelie out for a walk, get her tired out, and then I go to my chapel and spend a full hour in prayer, which means I have to get up a little earlier but it’s worth it and you can’t cut it. If you give the Lord the first part of your day, the rest of the day is going to be, maybe not easy, but it will be great,” he said.

Bishop Byrne is interviewed for a segment on this Sunday’s “Chalice of Salvation” broadcast. (Catholic Communications photo from video)

For the first time, Bishop Byrne participated in the U.S. States Conference of Catholic Bishops spring assembly, June 16-18, which was held virtually. The conference has been focused in part on the teaching of the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Some of the discussion has become controversial and political, as questions surfaced about whether Catholic politicians who support abortion should be able to receive the Eucharist.

The bishops have not come to a consensus but most agree on strengthening the teaching about the Eucharist, following a strategic plan which includes a multiyear National Eucharistic Revival initiative. Bishop Byrne is planning the Year of the Eucharist in the Springfield Diocese, with Holy Hours and processions, beginning in December to coincide with Advent.

“We have a couple generations of people who don’t realize that Jesus Christ is truly present body, blood, soul and divinity. Studies show that people think it’s a symbol. Jesus didn’t say I’ll feed you with a symbol, he said I’ll feed you with my body and blood,” Bishop Byrne said. “He’s God, so if he says this is my body, it happens.”

“So, it’s to help us realize the gift and look at how we celebrate that gift and how we encourage people and how we worship,” he said. “So, the Eucharist can be transformative and re-catechize, if you will, and reinvigorate the church.”

To watch the full interview, tune in to “Chalice of Salvation” Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on WWLP-22 News.