Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M. - Statements

On this World Day of the Sick, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the world awoke to the stunning news that Pope Benedict XVI has decided to resign the papacy, effective February 28, 2013.  Having been appointed Bishop of Trenton by him and, before that, approved as President of the Catholic University of America, I feel a genuine closeness to him. more...

I was approached early in my tenure as Diocesan Bishop to give permission to build an "all-girls Catholic High School" in Monmouth County. This was not the first time such a request was made of the Diocese although it was the first time I was asked. more...

I have been informed by a number of priests about several attempted celebrations of marriage within the Diocese of Trenton (Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean Counties) by former priests or others posing as bishops or priests who are not authorized by the Roman Catholic Church and the Diocese of Trenton to witness or officiate at weddings, thus making any attempted marriages of Catholics performed by them invalid. More...

When he announced the “Year of Faith” for the Church – October 11, 2012 through November 24, 2013 – Pope Benedict XVI shared his conviction that this proposed year would give “renewed energy to the mission of the whole Church to lead men and women out of the desert they often are in and toward the place of life: friendship with Christ who gives us the fullness of life.”  The Holy Father continued, “It will be a moment of grace and commitment to an ever fuller conversion to God, to reinforce our faith in him and to proclaim him with joy to the people of our time (Benedict XVI, Homily, Mass for the New Evangelization, October 16, 2011).” Read on...

It is with sadness that I learned of the death of Bishop John C. Reiss, Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton.  Although Bishop Reiss was unable to communicate easily in recent years, I had several occasions to visit with him and pray at his bedside in Morris Hall in Lawrenceville since arriving in the Diocese almost two years ago. Read on...

Religious freedom and the HHS mandate decision

I have heard it said often that “reasonable peo­ple can disagree without becoming disagree­able” and I’d like to believe that, although I do not always find it to be the case. Some people just cannot help themselves I guess. Those who disagree with the Catholic Church and what it teaches and represents – including some Catho­lics – will find fault with whatever its hierarchy proposes, especially when the bishops enter the “public square.” Read on...

As your Bishop, I write to you concerning an alarming matter that negatively impacts the Catholic Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith.  The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful. More...

It is with great joy that I, as Bishop of the neighboring Diocese of Trenton, express my heartfelt good wishes and prayerful support to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., on the occasion of his appointment as the Ninth Archbishop of Philadelphia. Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has made a truly inspired choice in selecting Archbishop Chaput for the Church of Philadelphia.

As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I become concerned when the unity of the Roman Catholic Church is disrupted by individuals or groups who present "alternatives" to that unity in the deceptive guise of legitimacy. Such is the case in Long Branch, New Jersey, regarding those associated with the establishment of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Inc. Although claiming legitimacy as an "alternative" or "independent" Catholic Church, this group and the individuals leading or promoting it are not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

Any priest who is ordained as bishop of a diocese today understands that dealing with the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and other diocesan personnel, as well as protecting the children who are placed in the Church’s care, are among the most important responsibilities one is given.  Since assuming the position of Bishop of Trenton on Dec. 1, 2010, I, too, have committed myself to this very serious responsibility, and have pledged to do all I can to ensure that we maintain a safe environment for everyone who walks through the doors of our churches, schools and diocesan institutions, especially minors, and for everyone who interacts with our clergy or lay personnel.

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ: these familiar words of the prophet Isaiah, used during the Advent liturgy, may also be heard at this time of year in George Frideric Handel's famous oratorio "Messiah." Both the scripture itself and the soothing melody that it inspired brings comfort to those who hear it, comfort and encouragement that God does, indeed, provide for his people.