April 29, 2016

UPDATED: Pope names Bishop Neil Tiedemann auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn

 

NATIONAL

By Catholic News Service
(CNS photo/courtesy of Diocese of Mandeville)

Bishop Tiedemann,a Passionist, served at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has named Bishop Neil E. Tiedemann as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York.

The appointment was announced April 29 in Washington by Msgr. Walter Erbi, charge d’affairs of the nunciature in the United States.

Bishop Tiedemann, 68, has been bishop of Mandeville, Jamaica, since 2008. He is a member of the Passionists and was ordained in 1975.

He has served at parishes in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts as well as in Honduras from 1987 to 1994 and again from 2005 to 2006, as well as Jamaica.

In fact, Bishop Tiedemann, who was born in Brooklyn, has served in two Jamaicas: the one in the Caribbean and the one in the New York City borough of Queens, which is also home to St. John’s University. He had served as associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish for seven years after his ordination to the priesthood. During that time, then-Father Tiedemann also worked for Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens.

“We in the Diocese of Brooklyn are delighted to welcome home Bishop Neil Tiedemann,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn in an April 29 statement. “The Passionist Fathers in general, and Bishop Tiedemann in particular, minister especially to those who find themselves in the midst of suffering. He has the heart of Christ.”

The following statement on Bishop Tiedemann’s appointment was released by Passionist Father Robert Joerger, provincial of the St. Paul of the Cross Province, based in Rye Brook, N.Y.

“It was with deep respect and admiration that we received word of Bishop Neil Tiedemann’s appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn.

“While we know the sadness of those in the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica, West Indies who have lost their beloved bishop, we also know Bishop Neil will always carry them in his heart. His love for the poor, his zeal for evangelization, and his commitment to Catholic education undoubtedly came to the attention of Pope Francis who appointed this Brooklyn native to his hometown.

“Bishop Neil knows the ‘smell of his sheep’ and will dutifully assist Bishop Nicholas Di Marzio in shepherding the local church of Brooklyn and Queens. The support and prayers of all his Passionist brothers and sisters accompany him.”

Born on March 5, 1948, Bishop Tiedemann entered the Passionists in 1970 and made perpetual vows in 1974. His pastoral work in the United States included two separate stints at St. Joseph’s Passionist Parish in Union City, N.J.; Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield, Mass.; Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brooklyn. He was appointed the bishop of Mandeville by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008.

Bishop Tiedemann’s ministry in Springfield recalled

Sister of St. Joseph Maureen Broughan recalled Bishop Tiedemann’s ministry at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield. “He was a real gift to the parish,” she said, noting that then-Father Tiedemann “was extremely fluent in Spanish” and was effective in ministering to the Latino community.

“He is a real pastor. He loves priesthood, he loves people,” said Sister Broughan. “He was a real unifier at Blessed Sacrament.” She added that Bishop Tiedemann was a mentor for her, inspiring her to study Spanish and minister to Latino communities as well.

“His gift is outreach to people, especially people on the margins,” Sister Broughan said, and added, “People in Blessed Sacrament (Parish) still remember him.”

Father William A. Pomerleau was pastor of the former St. Thomas Aquinas Parish during the years that Bishop Tiedemann served at the neighboring Blessed Sacrament and recalled that “Father Neil was a very dedicated priest, especially helping out with the Latino community when there were fewer Spanish-speaking priests.”

Father Pomerleau, who presently is pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield, said that he worked with then-Father Tiedemann on neighborhood projects. “He was beloved by the Latino community in the neighborhood,” Father Pomerleau said. 

Also contributing to this article was Rebecca Drake in Springfield.