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Retired Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, a native son and former auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, died July 11 at age 84, it was announced by the Diocese of Buffalo. Bishop Kmiec was born and raised in Trenton, growing up in the city’s St. Hedwig Parish. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Trenton in August 1982 and served the Diocese under then-Bishop John C. Reiss until he was named 10th bishop of Nashville in October 1992. He served in Nashville for 12 years until he was appointed Bishop of Buffalo in October 2004, retiring from there in May 2012.

WASHINGTON – Following the publication of a national news story on Catholic churches receiving loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement in response:

An article written by the Associated Press and published by multiple media outlets July 10 seems to call into question the legitimacy of the Church’s request for COVID relief funding made available through the U.S. government.  The Diocese of Trenton has responded to this article with the following statement:

Every man’s journey in becoming a priest is unique and inspiring in its own way. But few men have followed the extraordinary path that Deacon Stephen Sansevere has taken on the way to his priestly ordination.

WASHINGTON — Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, the acting chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty has encouraged Catholics to pray and uphold religious liberty at home and abroad during Religious Freedom Week 2020. Commencing on June 22, the Feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, Religious Freedom Week runs through June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. The theme chosen for this year is “For the Good of All.”

The Third Order Regular Franciscans, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, announced today (June 16, 2020) that an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor, made against Father Gabriel J. Zeis, T.O.R., has been found to be not credible.

Some of the precautions put in place in March to protect the public from the spread of the coronavirus meant that individuals who died – whether from the virus or another cause – could not be remembered and mourned in the customary manner.

Media reports have indicated significant spikes in coronavirus cases in 21 states that have re-opened or relaxed restrictions.  To avoid any confusion as the Diocese approaches the first weekend of public in-church Masses, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., reminds the faithful of the established directives:

After the May 25 killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the widespread protest and unrest that have followed, Catholic leaders throughout the nation, including Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., here in the Diocese of Trenton, have issued clear condemnation of the systemic racism that has sometimes led to injustice at the hands of law enforcement against members of the black community.  In many cases, these statements have echoed the teaching that was expressed in the 2018 document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, A Pastoral Letter Against Racism." The U.S. bishops overwhelmingly approved a pastoral letter against racism Nov. 14 during their fall general meeting at Baltimore.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced new liturgical and pastoral directives during the COVID-19 pandemic, including limited “in church” weekend Masses beginning June 13-14, with Mass schedules to be determined by pastors.

Traditionally celebrated on the Sixth Thursday of Easter, the Solemnity had been transferred in many other provinces to the Seventh Sunday of Easter over recent years.

Since the number of coronavirus infections began to skyrocket in the United States, the responsibility of caring for the seriously ill, protecting the public’s health and well-being, and providing supplies for people sheltering at home has fallen to a legion of brave and selfless men and women.  Health care workers, first responders and an untold number of essential workers have shown up on the job, risking their health and sometimes their lives.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., issued instructions for the reopening of churches in the Diocese of Trenton for private prayer only, following all public health guidelines. The reopening may happen as early as May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, or once pastors determine they can safely do so. 

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following clergy appointments, effective July 1, 2020.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced May 1 that Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt has been selected as the Diocese’s new superintendent of Catholic schools. Dr. Schmidt will fill the position being vacated by JoAnn Tier, who is retiring at the end of June. Tier has served the Department of Catholic Schools for 20 years, 11 of which were as superintendent.

May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, will be a special day of prayer in the Diocese of Trenton, as Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced a Mass for all workers, followed by a prayer service to reconsecrate the United States to the Blessed Mother.  

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant and homilist of a Mass April 19 for Divine Mercy Sunday in St. Rose Church, Belmar, beginning at 11:30 a.m.  The Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed from the home page of www.strosebelmar.com.

Parents of Catholic school students in the Diocese of Trenton are being notified this week that all parish and diocesan schools will remain closed along with their public school counterparts through May 15.  The extension followed an April 16 announcement regarding public schools by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and was affirmed in a diocesan statement.

Tonight, on the Monday of Holy Week, when representatives of every parish would have normally gathered in one place for the annual Chrism Mass, priests across the Diocese of Trenton will celebrate Mass from their respective churches, simultaneously, with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. 

At a time when all churches in the Diocese of Trenton are closed to Mass-goers because of coronavirus restrictions, Catholics are invited to commemorate Palm Sunday and the arrival of Holy Week April 5 as a virtual experience via video livestreaming.