Mensagem do Santo Padre para a 46ª Jornada Mundial de Oração pelas Vocações

No dia 3 de maio de 2009, IV Domingo de Páscoa, se celebra a 46ª Jornada Mundial de Oração pelas Vocações, cujo tema é: “A confiança na iniciativa de Deus e a resposta humana”.

Publicamos abaixo a mensagem que o Santo Padre Bento XVI envia nesta ocasião aos Bispos, sacerdotes e fiéis de todo o mundo:

 

Venerados irmãos no episcopado e no sacerdócio, queridos irmãos e irmãs!

Por ocasião do próximo Dia Mundial de Oração pelas Vocações ao sacerdócio e à vida consagrada, que será celebrado no IV Domingo de Páscoa, dia 3 de Maio de 2009, desejo convidar todo o Povo de Deus a reflectir sobre o tema: A confiança na iniciativa de Deus e a resposta humana. Não cessa de ressoar na Igreja esta exortação de Jesus aos seus discípulos: «Rogai ao Senhor da messe que envie trabalhadores para a sua messe» (Mt 9, 38). Pedi! O premente apelo do Senhor põe em evidência que a oração pelas vocações deve ser contínua e confiante. De facto, só animada pela oração é que a comunidade cristã pode realmente «ter maior fé e esperança na iniciativa divina» (Exort. ap. pós-sinodal Sacramentum caritatis, 26).

A vocação ao sacerdócio e à vida consagrada constitui um dom divino especial, que se insere no vasto projecto de amor e salvação que Deus tem para cada pessoa e para a humanidade inteira. O apóstolo Paulo – que recordamos de modo particular durante este Ano Paulino comemorativo dos dois mil anos do seu nascimento –, ao escrever aos Efésios, afirma: «Bendito seja o Deus e Pai de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, que, do alto dos céus, nos abençoou com toda a espécie de bênçãos espirituais em Cristo. Foi assim que n’Ele nos escolheu antes da constituição do mundo, para sermos santos e imaculados diante dos seus olhos» (Ef 1, 3-4). Dentro da vocação universal à santidade, sobressai a peculiar iniciativa de Deus ter escolhido alguns para seguirem mais de perto o seu Filho Jesus Cristo tornando-se seus ministros e testemunhas privilegiadas. O divino Mestre chamou pessoalmente os Apóstolos «para andarem com Ele e para os enviar a pregar, com o poder de expulsar demónios» (Mc 3, 14-15); eles, por sua vez, agregaram a si mesmos outros discípulos, fiéis colaboradores no ministério missionário. E assim no decorrer dos séculos, respondendo à vocação do Senhor e dóceis à acção do Espírito Santo, fileiras inumeráveis de presbíteros e pessoas consagradas puseram-se ao serviço total do Evangelho na Igreja. Dêmos graças ao Senhor, que continua hoje também a convocar trabalhadores para a sua vinha. Se é verdade que, em algumas regiões, se regista uma preocupante carência de presbíteros e que não faltam dificuldades e obstáculos no caminho da Igreja, sustenta-nos a certeza inabalável de que esta é guiada firmemente nas sendas do tempo rumo à realização definitiva do Reino por Ele, o Senhor, que livremente escolhe e convida a segui-Lo pessoas de qualquer cultura e idade, segundo os insondáveis desígnios do seu amor misericordioso.

Por conseguinte o nosso primeiro dever é manter viva, através de uma oração incessante, esta invocação da iniciativa divina nas famílias e nas paróquias, nos movimentos e nas associações empenhados no apostolado, nas comunidades religiosas e em todas as articulações da vida diocesana. Devemos rezar para que todo o povo cristão cresça na confiança em Deus, sabendo que o «Senhor da messe» não cessa de pedir a alguns que livremente disponibilizem a sua existência para colaborar mais intimamente com Ele na obra da salvação. Entretanto, por parte daqueles que são chamados, exige-se-lhes escuta atenta e prudente discernimento, generosa e pronta adesão ao projecto divino, sério aprofundamento do que é próprio da vocação sacerdotal e religiosa para lhe corresponder de modo responsável e convicto. A propósito, o Catecismo da Igreja Católica recorda que a livre iniciativa de Deus requer a resposta livre do ser humano. Uma resposta positiva que sempre pressupõe a aceitação e partilha do projecto que Deus tem para cada um; uma resposta que acolhe a iniciativa amorosa do Senhor e se torna, para quem é chamado, exigência moral vinculativa, homenagem de gratidão a Deus e cooperação total no plano que Ele prossegue na história (cf. n. 2062).

Ao contemplar o mistério eucarístico – onde se exprime sumamente o dom concedido livremente pelo Pai na Pessoa do Filho Unigénito pela salvação dos homens, e a disponibilidade plena e dócil de Cristo para beber completamente o «cálice» da vontade de Deus (cf. Mt 26, 39) – compreendemos melhor como «a confiança na iniciativa de Deus» molde e dê valor à «resposta humana». Na Eucaristia, dom perfeito que realiza o amoroso projecto da redenção do mundo, Jesus imola-Se livremente pela salvação da humanidade. «A Igreja – escreveu o meu amado predecessor João Paulo II – recebeu a Eucaristia de Cristo seu Senhor, não como um dom, embora precioso, entre muitos outros, mas como o dom por excelência, porque dom d’Ele mesmo, da sua Pessoa na humanidade sagrada, e também da sua obra de salvação» (Carta enc. Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 11).

Quem está destinado a perpetuar este mistério salvífico ao longo dos séculos, até ao regresso glorioso do Senhor, são os presbíteros, que podem precisamente contemplar em Cristo eucarístico o modelo exímio de um «diálogo vocacional» entre a livre iniciativa do Pai e a resposta confiante de Cristo. Na celebração eucarística, é o próprio Cristo que age naqueles que Ele escolhe como seus ministros; sustenta-os para que a sua resposta cresça numa dimensão de confiança e de gratidão que dissipe todo o medo, mesmo quando se faz mais intensa a experiência da própria fraqueza (cf. Rm 8, 26-30), ou o ambiente se torna mais hirto de incompreensão ou até de perseguição (cf. Rm 8, 35-39).

A consciência de sermos salvos pelo amor de Cristo, que cada Eucaristia alimenta nos crentes e de modo especial nos sacerdotes, não pode deixar de suscitar neles um confiante abandono a Cristo que deu a vida por nós. Deste modo, acreditar no Senhor e aceitar o seu dom leva a entregar-se a Ele com ânimo agradecido aderindo ao seu projecto salvífico. Se tal acontecer, o «vocacionado» de bom grado abandona tudo e entra na escola do divino Mestre; inicia-se então um fecundo diálogo entre Deus e a pessoa, um misterioso encontro entre o amor do Senhor que chama e a liberdade do ser humano que Lhe responde no amor, sentindo ressoar no seu espírito as palavras de Jesus: «Não fostes vós que Me escolhestes, fui Eu que vos escolhi e vos nomeei para irdes e dardes fruto, e o vosso fruto permanecer» (Jo 15, 16).

Este amoroso enlace entre a iniciativa divina e a resposta humana está presente também, de forma admirável, na vocação à vida consagrada. Recorda o Concílio Vaticano II: «Os conselhos evangélicos de castidade consagrada a Deus, de pobreza e de obediência, visto que fundados sobre a palavra e o exemplo de Cristo e recomendados pelos Apóstolos, pelos Padres, Doutores e Pastores da Igreja, são um dom divino, que a mesma Igreja recebeu do seu Senhor e com a sua graça sempre conserva» (Const. dogm. Lumen gentium, 43). Temos de novo aqui Jesus como o modelo exemplar de total e confiante adesão à vontade do Pai para onde deve olhar a pessoa consagrada. Atraídos por Ele muitos homens e mulheres, desde os primeiros séculos do cristianismo, abandonaram a família, os haveres, as riquezas materiais e tudo aquilo que humanamente é desejável, para seguir generosamente a Cristo e viver sem reservas o seu Evangelho, que se tornou para eles escola de radical santidade. Ainda hoje são muitos os que percorrem este itinerário exigente de perfeição evangélica, e realizam a sua vocação na profissão dos conselhos evangélicos. O testemunho destes nossos irmãos e irmãs, tanto nos mosteiros de vida contemplativa como nos institutos e nas congregações de vida apostólica, recorda ao povo de Deus «aquele mistério do Reino de Deus que já actua na história, mas aguarda a sua plena realização nos céus» (Exort. ap. pós-sinodal Vita consecrata, 1).

Quem pode considerar-se digno de ingressar no ministério sacerdotal? Quem pode abraçar a vida consagrada contando apenas com os seus recursos humanos? Mais uma vez convém reafirmar que a resposta da pessoa à vocação divina – sempre que se esteja consciente de que é Deus a tomar a iniciativa e é Ele também a levar a bom termo o seu projecto salvífico – não se reveste jamais do cálculo medroso do servo preguiçoso, que por medo escondeu na terra o talento que lhe fora confiado (cf. Mt 25, 14-30), mas exprime-se numa pronta adesão ao convite do Senhor, como fez Pedro quando, apesar de ter trabalhado toda a noite sem nada apanhar, não hesitou em lançar novamente as redes confiando na palavra d’Ele (cf. Lc 5, 5). Sem abdicar de forma alguma da responsabilidade pessoal, a resposta livre do homem a Deus torna-se assim «corresponsabilidade», responsabilidade em e com Cristo, em virtude da acção do seu Santo Espírito; faz-se comunhão com Aquele que nos torna capazes de dar muito fruto (cf. Jo 15, 5).

Emblemática resposta humana, repleta de confiança na iniciativa de Deus, é o «Amen» generoso e total da Virgem de Nazaré, pronunciado com humilde e decidida adesão aos desígnios do Altíssimo, que lhe foram comunicados pelo mensageiro celeste (cf. Lc 1, 38). O seu «sim» pronto permitiu-Lhe tornar-Se a Mãe de Deus, a Mãe do nosso Salvador. Maria, depois deste primeiro «fiat», teve de o repetir muitas outras vezes até ao momento culminante da crucifixão de Jesus, quando «estava junto à cruz», como refere o evangelista João, compartilhando o sofrimento atroz do seu Filho inocente. E foi precisamente da cruz que Jesus agonizante no-La deu como Mãe e a Ela nos entregou como filhos (cf. Jo 19, 26-27) – Mãe especialmente dos sacerdotes e das pessoas consagradas. A Ela quero confiar todos quantos sentem o chamamento de Deus para caminhar pela senda do sacerdócio ministerial ou da vida consagrada.

Queridos amigos, não desanimeis perante as dificuldades e as dúvidas; confiai em Deus e segui fielmente Jesus e sereis as testemunhas da alegria que brota da união íntima com Ele. À imitação da Virgem Maria, que as gerações proclamam bem-aventurada porque acreditou (cf. Lc 1, 48), empenhai-vos com toda a energia espiritual na realização do projecto salvífico do Pai celeste, cultivando no vosso coração, como Ela, a capacidade de maravilhar-se e adorar Aquele que tem o poder de fazer «grandes coisas», porque Santo é o seu nome (cf. Lc 1, 49).

Vaticano, 20 de Janeiro de 2009.

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

Fonte: Santa Sé

The Catholic Church in Connecticut (VII)

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut was one of the thirteen colonies which, in 1776, declared their independence from England. It was among the first to ratify the Federal Constitution under which, in 1789, the republic known as the United States of America established its present form of government.

The first English settlement was established on the Connecticut River at Windsor by traders from the Plymouth Colony in 1633. In the same year the Dutch from New Amsterdam had sailed up the river and erected a trading house and fort where the city of Hartford now stands, a few miles below Windsor. The Dutch soon after withdrew, leaving the English to establish the first permanent settlements within the boundaries of Connecticut. Saybrook, at the mouth of the Connecticut River, was settled by the English in 1636, and New Haven by colonists from Massachusetts Bay in 1638. In 1664 the New Haven Colony, then comprising the various settlements along the coast, was forced to unite with those in the Connecticut valley, thus forming one commonwealth thereafter known as Connecticut.

On 24 January, 1639, settlers of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield then "cohabiting and dwelling in and upon the River of Connectecotte and the lands thereunto adjoining" united in the adoption of the first written constitution known in history. The "Fundimental Orders", as they were called, established a Christian commonwealth, and provided for the election of a governor and other magistrates, together with a General Court having both legislative and judicial powers.

This General Court consisted of deputies who were to be Freemen elected from the several towns. The towns named above were each to send four deputies, and other towns thereafter added to the jurisdiction were to send such numbers as the court should judge meet, to be reasonably proportioned to the number of Freemen in each town. In 1661 Governor Winthrop was sent to England to petition the king for a charter confirming such privileges and liberties as were necessary for the permanent welfare of the colony.

The planters of the Connecticut River towns, in formulating their first constitution in 1639, were all of them Puritans of the sect subsequently known throughout all of the New England States as Congregationalists. The distinctive theory of their ecclesiastical polity regarded each congregation as a self-governing body, with power to formulate its own creedand prescribe its own conditions of membership. They repudiated all allegiance to any central ecclesiastical authority, and the various congregations or churches, as they were then called, were independent and self-governing, bound to each other by ties of fellowship and community of interest, rather than by canons prescribed by any superior ecclesiastical authority

Missions

The vestiges of Catholic travellers and sojourners in the territory now embraced by the Diocese of Hartford are numerous. Irish immigrants were scattered throughout the colony, and they rendered notable service during the Pequot war of 1637. Their movements are chronicled in the governorship of Theophilus Eaton (1639-57).

The Catholic Church has been represented in Connecticut from the days of its earliest white settlers. From colonial times until the arrival of the first resident in 1651, the Catholic Church in Connecticut lived very much in the shadows of the deeply Congregational tradition.  

Their numbers became considerably augmented during the century which followed. In the War of Independence they took an important part, but they were deprived of the consolations of their religion. Throughout the Colonial period Spanish, Portuguese, andFrench sailors and adventurers landed at New London and the other ports of the State, and some remained to spend their lives and lose their faith among those by whom the Catholic Church was hated or feared. In the year 1756 four hundred Acadians were scattered throughout the State, but, bereft of priests, and plunged into a hostile atmosphere, they and their descendants made shipwreck of the faith so much cherished by their ancestors. Now and again priests visited Connecticut, coming either as emissaries or chaplains to the French troops, but they took no part in the upbuilding of the future diocese. The attitude of the white settlers was decidedly hostile to the Catholic Church, and the few confessors who persevered are lost in oblivion. Bishop Cheverus, of Boston (1810-23), and Bishop Fenwick, his successor, made occasional missionary journeys to Connecticut. At the request of the latter, the Rev. R. D. Woodley, of Providence, visited and ministered to the Catholics of the section during the earlier months of 1828. In August of that year the Rev. Bernard O'Cavanaugh was appointed first resident priest of the present Diocese of Hartford. His parish comprised the State of Connecticut, and he made Hartford his home. July, 1829, was a memorable month for the Catholics of the future diocese. On the 10th of that month Bishop Fenwick came to Hartford; on the 11th the first number of the "Catholic Press" appeared; on the evening of that day the visiting prelate preached to a fine concourse of people, and before departing answered an attack made upon the Catholics by the "Episcopalian Watchman". He also gave directions for the purchase of the old Episcopalian church which was subsequently moved to Talcott Street. Bishop Fenwick was pleased with the visit and wrote in his journal: "Splendid prospects for religion in Hartford". Father O'Cavanaugh laboured alone in Hartford until 1 July, 1830, when he was joined by the Rev. James Fitton. Father Fitton continued to serve in Connecticut, sometimes alone and sometimes with one or two assistants, for six years.

The missionary zeal of those early priests led to the establishment in Hartford of the Church of the Holy Trinity which was dedicated by Bishop Fenwick on May 8, 1834. Nine years later in the spring of 1843, Bishop Fenwick, who was advanced in age, recommended to the Fifth Provincial Council of Baltimore that greater concern be given to the care of the Catholic souls in Connecticut. Bishop Fenwick proposed that his Boston diocese be divided so that a separate diocese could be established encompassing the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

On the erection of the diocese in 1843, there were but three resident priests in Connecticut. Hartford and New Haven had pastors, but Bridgeport was attended from the latter place. Father Fitton ministered to the Catholics in New London, going to them from Worcester, where he was then stationed.

Archdiocese of Hartford (Dioc. 1843; Arch. 1953)

The Diocese of Hartford is deeply rooted in the faith of our early Catholic ancestors who settled in Connecticut.

On November 28, 1843, Pope Gregory XVI issued a Papal Bull establishing the See of Hartford with Reverend William Barber Tyler (1853-1849), Vicar General of Boston and a convert to Catholicism, as its founding bishop. The primary responsibility of the young bishop would be the pastoral care of the 10,000 Catholics who comprised the diocese. Believing that the bishop should be nearer to the greater number of Catholics, in 1844, Bishop Tyler petitioned Rome to move the See of Hartford to Providence, Rhode Island. A man of great humility, Bishop Tyler struggled to reduce the large debt, and with missionary zeal, spent his life in service of his new flock. Bishop Tyler died in 1849, at the early age of 45 after serving as a bishop for five years.

Hartford's second bishop, the Right Reverend Bernard O'Reilly (1850-1856) worked untiringly to secure young priests for the diocese. While remaining in Providence, he sought to shield his flock from the anti-Catholic movements of the era, such as the Know-Nothing Party that was striving to destroy the Catholic Church in America. Bishop O'Reilly was lost at sea on the ill-fated steamer, Pacific, in January 1856.

Pennsylvania born, Reverend Francis Patrick McFarland (1857-1874) was consecrated the third bishop of Hartford in Providence on March 14, 1858. Bishop McFarland oversaw a Church which was growing rapidly and which eventually led to the establishment of the Diocese of Providence in 1872. Although in ill health, Bishop McFarland attended the first Vatican Council in Rome (1869-1870). This "Civil War bishop" has left to our archives a lasting memorial of his extensive writings in diary form.

Two years after Bishop McFarland's death, an Augustinian friar, Father Thomas Galberry (1876-1878) was named the fourth bishop of Hartford. Shortly after his consecration, Bishop Galberry began the construction of the original cathedral, laying the cornerstone on Sunday, April 29, 1877. The brownstone edifice was located on the north side of Farmington Avenue next to a then recently erected Motherhouse of the Sisters of Mercy. Bishop Galberry, who never enjoyed good health, died suddenly which en route to Villanova College in Philadelphia. His death deprived the diocese once again of a devoted and most capable shepherd.

Father Lawrence Stephen McMahon (1879-1893), a native of New Brunswick and a distinguished Civil War chaplain, was named Hartford's fifth bishop in 1879. During his episcopate of fourteen years, forty-eight parishes and sixteen parish schools were established. In 1882, a young diocesan priest, Father Michael McGivney, a native of Waterbury, organized in the basement of St. Mary Church in New Haven, a small group of Catholic men who would be known as the Knights of Columbus.

Father Michael Tierney (1893-1908), Chancellor and Rector of the the newly dedicated cathedral, succeeded Bishop McMahon as the sixth bishop of Hartford on February 22, 1894. Under Bishop Tierney's leadership, a preparatory seminary of St. Thomas was founded on Collins Street in Hartford and dedicated on September 8, 1889. Another major accomplishment of Bishop Tierney was the establishment of five diocesan hospitals which continue to serve thousands throughout the State of Connecticut.

It could be said that by the time Father John Joseph Nilan (1910-1934) was installed as Hartford's seventh bishop on April 28, 1910, Catholicism in Connecticut had come of age. During his tenure, Bishop Nilan concerned himself with the fostering of many ethnic parishes which would serve Connecticut's diverse population. In April of 1920, Father John Murray was consecrated first auxiliary bishop in Hartford. He was later named Ordinary of Portland, Maine and subsequently the Archbishop of St. Paul.

H. E. Maurice Francis McAuliffe (1934-1944) was appointed the 8th bishop of Hartford by Pope Pius XI.

The Most Reverend Henry Joseph O'Brien (1945-1968), Bishop McAuliffe's auxiliary bishop who earlier served as rector of St. Thomas Seminary, was named ninth bishop of Hartford on April 7, 1945. During the prosperity of this post war era, the number of Connecticut Catholics was growing and many parishes were built in the suburbs. On August 6, 1953, Pope Pius XII established the dioceses of Bridgeport and Norwich and Hartford became an archdiocese, comprising Hartford, New Haven and Litchfield counties. As a result, on October 21, 1953, Bishop O'Brien was installed as the first Archbishop of Hartford. This time of great joy was followed three years later by a time of sadness when the Cathedral of St. Joseph was destroyed by fire on New Year's Eve, 1956. Archbishop O'Brien immediately initiated plans for a new cathedral to be built on the same site. On May 15, 1962, Auxiliary Bishop John F. Hackett, consecrated the magnificent structure which continues to serve as the Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of Hartford.

The Most Reverend John Francis Whealon (1968-1991), Bishop of Erie, Pennsylvania and a native of Ohio, was installed as the second Archbishop of Hartford on March 19, 1969. Archbishop Whealon, a noted scripture scholar and ecumenist served this Archdiocese for twenty-two years. During his administration, the Church was blessed with a strong leader and able teacher who devoted time each week in teaching seminarians at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, as well as the permanent deacons of the Archdiocese.

On January 28, 1992, the Most Reverend Daniel Anthony Cronin (1991-2003), Bishop of Fall River, was installed as the third Archbishop of Hartford. During his eleven years in Hartford, Archbishop Cronin has continued to exhibit his strong leadership qualities as chief shepherd and teacher of our Archdiocese. Shortly after his arrival, Archbishop Cronin announced that he would reconvene the Archdiocesan Synod. Committees were established representing a broad spectrum of priests, religious and laity. Four sessions were held over a period of three months, culminating in the promulgation of a document entitled, "Recommendations of the Synod of 1996."

On October 20, 2003 Bishop Henry Joseph Mansell (2003-present) was appointed by Pope John Paul II as Archbishop of Hartford. He was installed as the fourth Archbishop of Hartford on December 18, 2003.  He is actively promoting the beatification and canonization cause of Father Michael J. McGivney, former diocesan priest of Hartford and founder of the Knights of Columbus.

Diocese of Bridgeport (1953)

The Diocese of Bridgeport was established on August 6, 1953, by Pope Pius XII as an offshoot of the Diocese of Hartford.

There have been four Bishops of Bridgeport to date: The Most Reverend Lawrence Joseph Shehan (1953-1961), first bishop; the Most Reverend Walter William Curtis (1961-1988), second bishop; and The Most Reverend Edward Michael Egan (1988-2000), the third bishop.

The Most Reverend William Edward Lori (2001-present), appointed by the Holy Father on January 23, 2001 is the forth Bishop of Bridgeport. Bishop Lori's installation took place on March 19, 2001.

Diocese of Norwich (1953)

The Diocese of Norwich was also established on August 6, 1953, by Pope Pius XII as an offshoot of the Diocese of Hartford.

The Bishops of Norwich number five since then:

H. E.   Bernard Joseph Flanagan (1953-1959), first Bishop of Norwich; H. E. Vincent Joseph Hines (1959-1975), second Bishop; H. E. Daniel Patrick Reilly (1975-1994), third Bishop; and H. E. Daniel Anthony Hart (1995-2003), forth Bishop. 

On March 11, 2003 Pope John Paul II appointed The Most Reverend Michael Richard Cote (2003-present) as the fifth Bishop of Norwich.

Eparchy of Stamford of the Ukrainians (Exar. 1956; Epar. 1958)

Pope Pius XII created on July 20, 1956, the Apostolic Exarchy of Stamford, Connecticut, assigning to it the parishes situated in the State of New York and in all of New England, and appointed as it first titular Bishop Ambrozij Andrew Senyshyn (1956-1961), previously auxiliary in Philadelphia.

The same Roman Pontiff erected on July 12, 1958 the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia, consisting of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia of the Ukrainians, and the Eparchy of Stamford. The second Eparch was Bishop  Joseph Michael Schmondiuk (1961-1977). Bishop Basil Harry Losten (1977-2006) was the third Eparch and H. E. Bishop Paul Patrick Chomnycky (2006-present) is the forth Eparch.

O Estado de Connecticut (The Constitution State) era uma das Treze Colônias que, ao declararem independência em 1776, formaram os Estados Unidos da América. A Capital do estado é Hartford e Bridgeport é a mais populosa. OBLATVS recebe visitantes de várias cidades de Connecticut, como: Cromwell, Groton, New Haven, Norwalk e Stamford.

O Estado tem 4 jurisdições eclesiásticas: 1 Arquidiocese, 2 Dioceses e 1 Eparquia.

A população do Estado é estimada em 3.488.637 e o número de católicos, em 1.341.055 (38,5%).

Estatísticas: (2004)

Arquidiocese de Hartford

População: 1.910.542; Católicos: 686.231 (36%); Sacerdotes: 455; Paróquias: 213

Diocese de Bridgeport

População: 903.291; Católicos: 410.304 (45,4%); Sacerdotes: 325; Paróquias: 87

Diocese de Norwich

População: 674.804; Católicos: 228.520 (34%); Sacerdotes: 167; Paróquias: 78

Eparquia de Stamford dos Ucranianos

Católicos: 16.000; Sacerdotes: 78; Paróquias: 55

Fontes: Catholic Encyclopedia; Archdiocese of Hartford; Diocese of  Bridgeport; Diocese of Norwich; Eparchy of Stamford;  Catholic Hierarchy; Knights of Columbus;  

Curas, Exorcismos e Repouso entre os Melquitas!

A introdução de elementos estranhos na Sagrada Liturgia já não causa sensação entre os católicos; tornou-se rotineira. Alguns fiéis chegam a preferir as Missas em que certas práticas abusivas são adotadas. Há aqueles que só frequentam estas missas. Todas as demais carecem de "espírito".

Até onde eu sabia, o desastre se limitava ao Rito Romano. Jamais imaginei que algo semelhante pudesse ocorrer nos Ritos Orientais. Até assistir ao vídeo abaixo. 

As imagens da reportagem foram gravadas na Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Paraíso da Eparquia dos Greco-Melquitas, em São Paulo. 

The Catholic Church in Colorado (VI)

COLORADO

Francisco Vázquez de Coronado probably crossed the south-east corner of the State in his celebrated expedition of 1541-2, and Francisco Escalante explored its southern border in 1776. The first immigration was Spanish from New Mexico, at Pueblo, Trinidad, and other places south of the Arkansas River. In 1806 Zebulon M. Pike crossed the plains on an official exploration and gave his name to Pike's Peak. Long's expedition was in 1819. John C. Fremont and Kit Carson explored the mountain passes in the forties.

The first permanent civilized settlement within its borders was made in 1852, when a Spanish colony from New Mexico settled in what is now the southern part of Colorado on the Conejos River, where they built the first church in 1858. Similar settlements followed during the fifties, their spiritual needs being provided for by priests, sent by Bishop Lamy of Santa Fé, whose diocese then extended as far north as the Arkansas River, the boundary of the Mexican cession. The discovery of gold, in 1858, near the site of the present city of Denver, soon brought a great increase of population from the Eastern States. Mining camps and towns sprang up in great numbers throughout the whole Pike's Peak region. This territory was then a part of the vicariate of Bishop Miège of Leavenworth, and that prelate visited Denver in 1860. Finding it practically impossible to attend these distant missions, Bishop Miège secured their transfer to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Santa Fé. Bishop Lamy sent his vicar-general, the Very Rev. Joseph P Machebeuf, and a young priest, Rev, John B. Raverdy, to care for the mining regions and the new settlements. Father Machebeuf had spent eleven years in the missions of Northern Ohio, and ten years in similar work in New Mexico and Arizona, and was thus admirably adapted for the work before him. The two missionaries arrived at Denver in October, 1860, and for over seven years they laboured, almost unaided, visiting the immense territory confided to them, building churches wherever the prospects warranted such an undertaking.

Colorado was organized as a Territory in 1861, and admitted as a State in 1876, with a constitution formed in that year. This explains its sentimental title of "The Centennial State".

Vicariate Apostolic of Colorado and Utah (1868)

The increase of population was so great during those early years, and the prospects of permanency became so favourable that the Fathers of the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore recommended to the Holy See the creation of the Vicariate Apostolic of Colorado and Utah. Consequently Father Machebeuf was nominated to that office and was consecrated titular Bishop of Epiphania at Cincinnati by Archbishop Purcell, 16 August, 1868. The new prelate was born 11 August, 1812, at Riom, Puy-de-Dome, France. He was ordained priest 21 December, 1836, at Clermont-Ferrand, the see of his native diocese. When he took charge as Vicar Apostolic he had but three priests within his jurisdiction, but he returned to the field of his work and redoubled his own efforts, visiting every portion of his vast vicariate, doing the work of priest and bishop and endeavouring at the same time to secure priests for the rapidly increasing population. His zeal for religion was shown also by his many efforts to secure locations for future churches, charitable and educational institutions, several of which were built in his own time-notably, the Loretto Academy at Denver, in 1864, and later St. Joseph's Hospital, the House of the Good Shepherd, and the College of the Sacred Heart. In 1871 his burdens were somewhat lightened by the transfer of the Territory of Utah to the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of San Francisco.

Archdiocese of Denver (Dioc. 1887 and Arch. 1941)

By Brief of 16 August, 1887, the Vicariate of Colorado was made a diocese with the episcopal see at Denver and H. E. Joseph Projectus Machebeuf (1887-1889) was named its first bishop; and the Rev. Nicholas Crysostom Matz appointed coadjutor with right of succession (19 August, 1887). He was consecrated titular Bishop of Telmessa, at Denver, by Archbishop Salpointe of Santa Fé, 28 October, 1887. Bishop Joseph Preojectus Machebeuf nevertheless relaxed but little of his missionary work after this, and retained the administration of the diocese until his death, on 10 July, 1889, leaving in the diocese 34 secular and 30 regular priests, 112 churches and chapels, 1 college, 9 academies, 9 hospitals, 2 asylums, and over 3000 children in Catholic schools.

Bishop Matz (1889-1917), the second Bishop of Denver, who was born 6 April, 1850, at Munster, Lorraine, France, and ordained priest at Denver, 31 May, 1874, continued the good work of his predecessor. His enduring legacies to the archdiocese include St. Thomas Seminary (now the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization), the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Mount Olivet Cemetery. Weakened by a series of strokes, Bishop Matz died at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver on Aug. 9, 1917.

Most Rev. John Henry Tihen (1917-1931) was installed as  the third Bishop of the Diocese of Denver on Sept. 21, 1917. Bishop Tihen guided the Church of Colorado through troubled times. There was strong “anti-foreigner” sentiment that sprang from World War I and continued through the 1920s, when the Ku Klux Klan was exerting its influence. In poor health, Bishop Tihen resigned on Jan. 2, 1931, and took up residence at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan., where he died on Jan. 14, 1940.

The man who succeeded Bishop Tihen, Most Rev. Urban John Vehr, forth Bishop and first Archbishop, headed the Church of Colorado for 36 years. Archbishop Vehr steered the Church through the Depression, World War II and the post-war boom that saw the population of Colorado soar. During his tenure, the number of Catholics tripled, and nearly 200 schools and churches were built. In keeping with Pope Paul VI’s request that bishops retire at age 75, Archbishop Vehr stepped down on Feb. 22, 1967. He died Sept. 19, 1973.

Following Archbishop Vehr’s retirement, Pope Paul VI appointed Most Rev. James Vincent Casey (1967-1986), the bishop of Lincoln, Neb., as the second archbishop of Denver on Feb. 22, 1967. Archbishop Casey expanded the role of the laity in Church affairs while grappling with the tumultuous social strife of the 1960s. He died on March 14, 1986, at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, leaving behind a legacy of social justice.

Most Rev. James Francis Stafford (1986-1996) was ordained a priest on Dec. 15, 1957. He was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Baltimore on Feb. 29, 1976. On Nov. 16, 1982, he was appointed bishop of Memphis, Tenn. He was appointed third archbishop of Denver on June 3, 1986, and received the pallium in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, on June 29, 1986. On Aug. 20, 1996, Pope John Paul II appointed Archbishop Stafford president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. On Jan. 18, 1998, Pope John Paul II elevated Most Rev. J. Francis Stafford to the dignity of cardinal. The elevation ceremony took place on Feb. 21, 1998, outside St. Peter Basilica in Rome. On Oct. 3, 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal Stafford to head the Apostolic Penitentiary.

On Feb. 18, 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed Most Rev. Charles Joseph Chaput (1997-present) as the forth archbishop of Denver. He was installed on April 7, 1997. One of his many accomplishments is the establishment of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.

Diocese of Pueblo (1941)

In December 1941, as the United States was pulled into World War II, news that the Catholic Church in Colorado was going to establish a new diocese for the southern half of the state arrived in Pueblo.  The news became official on January 6, 1942, and the Diocese of Pueblo began its own history.  The division of the Denver Diocese was necessary in order to create more intimacy and cohesiveness between diocese and parish, and to allow each diocese to focus on its own regional priorities.  The state was spilt in two, with the southern half defining the Diocese of Pueblo and the northern half becoming the Archdiocese of Denver.  At the time, the Diocese of Pueblo contained thirty counties, and covered an expanse of over 48,000 square miles, with a population of approximately 78,300 Catholics.  The Diocese would be divided into six deaneries:  Alamosa, Grand Junction, Durango, La Junta, Trinidad and Pueblo.

The first bishop of Pueblo, Bishop Joseph Clement Willging (1941-1959), formerly the Vicar General of the Diocese of Helena, Montana, was installed at Sacred Heart Cathedral on March 12, 1942.  He served the Diocese for seventeen years and was known as a "gifted organizer."  During his episcopate the number of parishes increased from approximately thirty-nine to sixty and the number of priests increased from eighty-four to one hundred fifty-one.  He insured the parochial education of children by encouraging the establishment of Catholic schools, and by inviting catechetical and missionary Sisters to tend to the catechetical instruction of both children and adults.  Also during this period, the number of Catholic hospitals within the Diocese increased.  His era of administration benefited from the post-war economy and the enthusiasm of the newly organized Diocese.  Bishop Willging died suddenly in March 1959 of a heart attack.

Installed at Sacred Heart Cathedral on October 6, 1959 was H. E Charles Albert Buswell as second Bishop of Pueblo.

H. E. Arthur Nicholas Tafoya (1980-present) is the third Bishop of Pueblo. Confronting the Bishop were the challenges of a declining population of registered Catholics, and a nationwide shortage of priests and vocations to religious life.  To combat these and other obstacles, and to exact feedback and participation from individual parishes, Bishop Tafoya initiated a goal setting process called Our Journey Together, 1985-1990, which resulted in the formulation of specific goals at the diocesan and parish level.  This was followed by a second diocesan pastoral plan called, Sharing Our Gifts, 1993-1998; the promulgation of a third pastoral plan is expected soon.

Diocese of Colorado Springs (1983)

On November 10, 1983, Pope John Paul II created the new Diocese of Colorado Springs and named its first bishop, H. E. Richard Charles Patrick Hanifen (1983-2003).

The second bishop, H. E. Michael John Sheridan (2003-present), was born in St. Louis on March 4, 1945. He was ordained as a diocesan priest by Cardinal John J. Carberry on May 29, 1971. On September 3, 1997 Bishop Sheridan was ordained as an auxiliary bishop of St. Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali. On December 4, 2001 Bishop Sheridan was appointed coadjutor bishop of Colorado Springs and became the bishop of the diocese on January 30, 2003.

 

O Estado do Colorado (The Centennial State) localiza-se na região das Montanhas Rochosas, cuja beleza é fonte de inspiração para os Coloradans e visitantes. Sua Capital e maior cidade é Denver, onde OBLATVS tem leitores. Outras cidades importantes são: Colorado Springs, Aurora, Lake Wood, Fort Collins e Pueblo.

Há três jurisdições eclesiásticas no Estado: 1 arquidiocese e 2 dioceses.

A população é estimada em 4.552.169 dos quais 675.052 (15%) são católicos.

Estatísticas (2004)

Arquidiocese de Denver

População: 3.074.315; Católicos: 398.250 (13%); Sacerdotes: 307; Paróquias: 120

Diocese de Colorado Springs

População: 876.854; Católicos: 166.602 (19%); Sacerdotes: 69; Paróquias: 38

Diocese de Pueblo

População: 601.000; Católicos: 110.200 (18,3%); Sacerdotes: 105; Paróquias: 53

 

Fontes: Catholicity; Archdiocese of Denver; Diocese of Pueblo; Diocese of Colorado Springs; Catholic Hierarchy;

Aborto e Semana Santa

O que tem a ver o aborto com a Semana Santa?

A resposta a esta pergunta requer a matização de um “depende”... Se por Semana Santa entendemos algumas encenações de rua de interesse turístico nacional, então, certamente não tem nada a ver. Porém, se a Semana Santa é a memória viva da Morte e Ressurreição de Jesus Cristo, então, não o duvidemos, é absolutamente impossível separá-los. O aborto está intimamente unido à Paixão de Cristo, da mesma maneira que lhe estão unidos a guerra, a fome e tantas outras injustiças, consequência de nosso pecado, por cuja redenção Jesus Cristo entregou sua vida na Cruz.

Aos que afirmaram que não há conexão entre o aborto e esta festividade religiosa, lhes aconselharia a leitura de um livro que nos marcou a muitos em nossa juventude, com um título bem significativo: “Dios llora en la Tierra”.(desconheço o livro e se há uma edição portuguesa)

Ainda que doa, a liberdade “liberta”

Jesus nos ensinou que a “verdade nos torna livres” (cf. Jo 8,32); mas enquanto não chega este momento, incomoda bastante! Nós o pudemos comprovar a propósito da campanha da Conferência Episcopal Espanhola (mutatis mutandis, o que no artigo é dito sobre a Espanha se aplica ao Brasil) em defesa da vida.

O lince está dando muito que falar, e confiemos que também nos ajude a “reconsiderar”. O certo é que existem verdades inquestionáveis: um ovo de águia tem mais proteção jurídica na Espanha que um ser humano no seio de sua mãe. Não se trata de uma afirmação agressiva e belicista, como alguns pretendem apresentar, mas uma simples constatação da realidade.

A comparação entre o animal e o ser humano não “desmerece o lince” – como afirma algum político, no cúmulo do despropósito – senão que, em todo caso, enaltece a causa ecologista. O incrível é que tenhamos que recorrer ao lince para dignificar o ser humano. No fundo, estamos diante de uma constatação de que quando nossa cultura dá as costas a Deus, o homem é destronado de sua condição de “rei da criação”, até o ponto de ser rebaixado à condição de escravo.

A mulher, santuário da vida

Penso sinceramente que a Igreja está fazendo o que Deus espera dela neste momento chave da história: desgastar seu prestígio e suas energias na defesa da vida dos mais inocentes. A cultura da morte pretende distorcer a realidade, contrapondo a defesa da vida do filho ao suposto direito da mulher a uma “maternidade a la carte”. O certo é que defender o filho é defender a mãe.

Ao dizer isto não estou pensando exclusivamente nas feridas traumáticas que se manifestam na “Síndrome pós-aborto”... Os males derivados do aborto para a mulher são muitos e devastadores:

Como se pode falar de aborto como um direito da mulher de “decidir em liberdade”, quando sabemos de sobra que atrás da maioria das interrupções violentas da gravidez se esconde a pressão e a chantagem do homem? Como se pode reivindicar o aborto no contexto da promoção da mulher, quando em numerosos países se está produzindo um grave desequilíbrio entre a população masculina e feminina, por motivo do recurso ao aborto para a seleção do sexo? O caso da China é paradigmático: para cada 119 meninos, nascem somente 100 meninas. Calcula-se que no ano 2020 haverá nesse país 300 milhões a mais de homens que de mulheres.

A reivindicação do feminismo radical, que associou a promoção da mulher à libertação de sua maternidade, resultou em ser seu próprio túmulo. Pelo contrário, uma das dimensões que mais dignifica a mulher é sua condição de “santuário da vida”.

O sacrifício do inocente

Se queremos viver verdadeira e intensamente nossa Semana Santa, não podemos nos esquecer da ação de graças pelo dom da vida; da chamada à responsabilidade em seu cuidado; nem tampouco da denúncia profética diante do sacrifício dos inocentes. Também Jesus Cristo foi o “inocente” sobre o qual lançamos as culpas dos pecadores. O diálogo do bom ladrão com seu companheiro de suplício é bem significativo: “Nem sequer temes a Deus, tu que sofres a mesma condenação? E nós com razão, porque o merecemos; ele, porém, nada de mau fez” (Lc 23,41).

O certo é que, enquanto discutimos, o aborto chegou a ser a primeira causa de mortalidade na Espanha. Em toda nossa longa história, se excluímos a peste negra na Idade Média, nenhuma guerra, enfermidade ou catástrofe, eliminou tantas vidas humanas. O que está em jogo é algo tão básico, como nossa capacidade de nos comover pela sina do inocente. É questão de humanidade, de solidariedade e de misericórdia!

Dom José Ignacio Munilla

Bispo de Palencia

Fonte: Religion en liberdad

Tradução: OBLATVS 

Vídeos de Bento XVI

No site Benedict XVI TV estão disponíveis para download os vídeos da Viagem Apostólica do Santo Padre a Camarões e Angola.

Há inúmeros outros vídeos de momentos marcantes do Pontificado de Bento XVI. 

The Catholic Church in California (V.2)

CALIFORNIA

Part II 

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

The story of El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles—from Hispanic colonial foundation to international center for learning, art and commerce—is as much a work of imagination as it is of history. It was the “Dreamers of God” who began it.

The “Catholic presence” in the area now comprising the City of Los Angeles actually pre-dates the city by a dozen years. The very name derives from the diary of Fray Juan Crespi, Franciscan, who introduced the feast of the Portiuncula into California’s vocabulary. And it was a group of Catholics, most of them predominantly of African American origin, who effected the foundation of El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, in the fall of 1781, named after the river.

It was established on July 7, 1889, as Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles. Bishop Thaddeus Amat, Vincentian, moved his episcopal seat from Monterey to Los Angeles and added the city’s name to the diocesan title. He built St. Vibiana Cathedral in 1876.

It was Bishop John J. Cantwell (1922-1947), who received permission in 1922 to divide the 90,000 square-mile Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles when Pius XI created the Diocese of Los Angeles-San Diego. This area embraced the remaining southland counties stretching to the Mexican border. A later major alternation in the southland occurred on 11 July, 1936, with the erection of the second Metropolitan district in California, at Los Angeles. Simultaneously, the four southernmost counties were fashioned into the Diocese of San Diego. Bishop Cantwell became the first Archbishop of Los Angeles and subsequently held the longest term as Ordinary.

A major accomplishment of his episcopate was his provision for the spiritual and material welfare of the non-English speaking people of the region. Archbishop Cantwell erected more than fifty parishes and missions for the Spanish-speaking populace.

Four months after Archbishop Cantwell’s death in 1947, Archbishop James Francis Louis McIntyre (1948-1970) was appointed to head the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Recognition of southern California’s increasing ecclesiastical importance came in 1952 when Pope Pius XII raised him to the rank of Cardinal, the first one in the western United States.

In 1970 Coadjutor Archbishop Timothy Manning (1970-1985) acceded to the See as the third Archbishop of Los Angeles and three years later became the second cardinal for the largest city in the world dedicated to Our Lady. For fifteen years the Irish-born prelate worked through enormous changes in the Church aided with four auxiliary bishops for the three country area.

Pope John Paul II named the first native born Angeleno to shepherd the largest Archdiocese in the country Bishop Roger Michael Mahony who headed the Diocese of Stockton and was an alumnus of St. John’s Seminary. In 1991 Archbishop Mahony became the third Cardinal.

Diocese of San Diego

It was established on June 1, 1922, as Diocese of Los Angeles-San Diego. On July 11, 1936 Pope Pius XI erected the new Diocese of San Diego and appointed Monsignor Charles Francis Buddy (1936-1966) as its 1st Bishop. H. E.  Francis James Furey (1966-1969) was the second Bishop. H. E. Leo Thomas Maher (1969-1990) was the third Bishop. H. E. Robert Henry Brom is the forth Bishop of San Diego (1990-present).

Diocese of Fresno

It was established on June 1, 1922, as Diocese of Monterey-Fresno. Most Rev. John J. Cantwell, Bishop of Los Angeles-San Diego, administers the affairs of the Monterey- Fresno Diocese. Most Rev. John B. MacGinley (1924-1932) is installed as the first Bishop of the Monterey-Fresno Diocese in 1924. A serious cardiac condition causes him to resign in 1932. He dies in October, 1969. At the time of his installation, the diocese contains: 42 parishes, 22 missions, 11 parochial schools, 2 hospitals and 60 priests. The Catholic population reaches 50,000.

Rt. Rev. Philip Scher (1933-1953), vicar-general under Bishop MacGinley, is consecrated Bishop of the Monterey-Fresno Diocese. At the time of his consecration, the diocese contains only four deaneries: Fresno, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo and Monterey. This includes: 54 parishes, 25 missions, 17 parochial schools, 4 high schools, 3 hospitals and 99 priests. The Catholic population is estimated to be 79,000.

In 1946, Most Rev. Aloysius J. Willinger,  who had been Bishop of Ponce, Puerto Rico, is named Coadjutor Bishop of the Monterey-Fresno Diocese. He was the 3rd Bishop (1953-1967). The diocese contains 65 parishes, 43 missions, 21 Mass stations, 75 chapels, 40 parochial schools, 7 high schools, 5 hospitals, 130 priests, 14 brothers and 343 sisters. The Catholic population is over 167,000.

On October 25, Bishop Willinger resigns. The Diocese of Monterey-Fresno is divided into two Sees. On December 15, 1967, the Diocese of Fresno is erected by Pope Paul VI and Bishop Timothy Manning (1967-1969), Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, becomes the first Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno. The new diocese embraces eight counties: Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Mariposa and Tulare, covering an area of over 35,000 square miles. The estimated Catholic population is 307,000.

Bishop Timothy Manning is elevated to Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles and Most Rev. Hugh Aloysius Donohoe (1969-1980) is appointed the second Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno.

Bishop Donohoe retires and Most Rev. José de Jesús Madera Uribe (1980-1991) is appointed the third Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno. The diocesan catholic population is estimated to be 307,000. There are 85 parishes, 38 missions, 23 stations, 33 chapels, and 25 elementary schools.

Most Rev. John Thomas Steinbock (1991-present) is appointed the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno. Prior to this appointment Bishop Steinbock was the Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. There are an estimated 581.000 Catholics in the Diocese of Fresno, 86 parishes, 39 missions, 8 stations, 23 elementary schools, 2 high schools and 3 hospitals.

Diocese of Oakland

On January 13, 1962, the Diocese of Oakland was established by Blessed John XXIII from areas previously part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. H. E. Floyd Lawrence Begin (1962-1977) was appointed as first Bishop of the new Diocese. H. E. John Stephen Cummins (1977-2003) was the second Bishop. H. E. Allen Henry Vigneron (2003-2009) was the third Bishop and now Archbishop of Detroit.

On March 23, 2009, Pope Benedict named H. E Salvatore Joseph Cordileone as the forth Bishop of Oakland. Bishop Cordileone’s installation will take place on May 5.

Diocese of Santa Rosa

On the feast day of Santa Rosa de Lima in 1828, Fr. Juan Amoros was celebrating Mass on a creek bank near the site now occupied by St. Eugene Cathedral. Fr. Juan noticed a group of Native Americans watching a short distance away, and he spoke to them of eternal life in Jesus Christ and the necessity of Baptism. One young woman came forward and asked to be baptized. As he administered the sacrament, Fr. Juan gave her the name Rosa and declared that the creek and the entire area henceforth would be known as Santa Rosa. The Asistencia Santa Rosa de Lima, an outpost never declared a mission, was erected on the site; it consisted of a chapel and a residence. From time to time, priests from the missions in Sonoma and San Rafael would come to say Mass for the members of the family of General Vallejo who settled in the area around 1837.

More and more settlers came into the North Coast region, and parishes and mission churches began to spring up: St. Vincent in Petaluma (1857), St. Bernard in Eureka (1858), St. John the Baptist in Napa (1859), St. Teresa of Avila in Bodega (1861), St. Anthony in Mendocino (1864), St. Helena (1865), St. Patrick in Loleta (1868), St. Joseph in Crescent City (1869), St. Peter in Kelseyville (1870), St. Mary in Lakeport (1871). As the Catholic population grew, the Diocese of Santa Rosa was created from portions of the Sacramento Diocese and San Francisco Archdiocese on January 13, 1962, by Blessed John XXIII.

H. E. Leo Thomas Maher (1962-1969) was appointed the first Bishop of the new diocese. H. E. Mark Joseph Hurley (1969-1986) was the second Bishop. H. E. John Thomas Steinbock (1987-1991) was the third Bishop. H. E. George Patrick Ziemann (1992-1999) was the forth Bishop.

His Excelence Daniel Francis Walsh (2000-present) is the fifth Bishop of Santa Rosa. 

Diocese of Stockton

Recognizing the increasing population in the great Central Valley and Mother Lode region of California,  on January 13, 1962, the Diocese of Stockton was also established by Blessed John XXIII from areas previously part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Sacramento.

Bishop Hugh Aloysius Donohoe (1962-1969), was installed as the first bishop on April 24, 1962.

Bishop Merlin Joseph Guilfoyle (1969-1979) succeeded Bishop Donohoe and was installed on January 13, 1970. During his tenure, there was both great growth and great financial struggle within the Catholic schools of the diocese.

Bishop Roger Michael Mahony (1980-1985) was installed as the third bishop of Stockton on April 17, 1980.

After Bishop Mahony was named Archbishop of Los Angeles, Bishop Donald William Montrose (1985-1999) was installed February 20, 1986. Bishop Montrose brought a contemplative community of religious women, the Religious of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to the diocese. 

Bishop Stephen Edward Blaire (1999-present) was installed as the fifth bishop of Stockton on March 16, 1999.

Diocese of Orange

The Catholic history of Orange County dates back to 1776 when Fray Blessed Junipero Serra founded the seventh of the California Missions at San Juan Capistrano. Growth and development continued in the county over the next 200 years. On June 18, 1976, His Holiness Pope Paul VI established the Diocese of Orange, encompassing 782 square mile along 42 miles of Southern California coastline.

The Most Reverend William Robert Johnson (1976-1986) was installed as First Bishop of Orange and served his flock during the formative years of the diocese until his death on July 28, 1986. Auxiliary Bishop John T. Steinbock served as Apostolic Administrator until February 24, 1987, when the Most Reverend Norman Francis McFarland (1986-1998) was installed Second Bishop of Orange. On September 3, 1998 Bishop Tod David Brown (1998-present) was installed as Third Bishop of Orange, upon the retirement of Bishop McFarland.

When the Diocese was first established, there were 42 parishes and 179 Priests serving 330,000 Orange County Catholics. Today, 25 years later, there are 55 diocesan parishes and 289 Priests serving more than 1 million Catholics in the county of 2,760,948 people.

Diocese of San Bernardino

The Diocese was erected by on July 14, 1978 by Pope Paul VI. H. E. Philip Francis Straling (1978-1995) was appointed its first Bishop. H. E. Gerald Richard Barne is the second Bishop of San Bernardino (1995-present).

Diocese of San Jose in California

It was established on January 27, 1981 by Pope John Paul II.

H. E. Roland Pierre DuMaine (1981-1999) was named the first Bishop of the new diocese.

H. E. Patrick Joseph McGrath (1999-present) is the second Bishop of San Jose in California.

Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles

On March 1, 1994, the second Eparchy for Maronites in the United States was established by Pope John Paul II. The Most Reverend John George Chedid (1994-2000), former Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron, was appointed the first Eparchial Bishop with the Cathedral under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Lebanon.  Bishop Chedid was enthroned on June 24, 1994 by Patriarch His Beatitude Nasrallah Peter Sfeir.

On December 5, 2000, the Holy Father accepted the resignation due to canonical age of Bishop Chedid, and appointed Chorbishop Robert Joseph Shaheen (2000-present) as second Bishop of The Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. Bishop Shaheen, first American-born Maronite Bishop, was ordained by the Maronite Patriarch, Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, in the Cathedral Basilica of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

The territory of  Eparchy is comprised of 34 Midwest, Southern, and Western (U.S.) States, including: 31 parishes and missions, a convent of nuns, a monastery of monks and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.

Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of the Chaldeans and Assirians

The Eparchy is based in San Diego, California. It has eleven parishes and three missions in nineteen States. The Diocese began with seven parishes and has expanded to eleven.

On May 21, 2002 St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Church in El Cajon, California became the seat of the second Chaldean diocese in the United States. It is now called St. Peter’s Cathedral.

The new diocese was established by Pope John II at the request of the bishops of the Chaldean Church and includes the following nineteen states: California, Arizona, Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

The Holy Father appointed as the first bishop of the newly established Diocese a Chaldean priest named Rev. Sarhad Yawsip Jammo (2002-present); he was ordained a bishop on July 18, 2002 in Troy, Michigan. On July 25, 2002 Bishop Jammo was installed at St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in San Diego.

 

O Estado da Califórnia (The Golden State) é o mais populoso dos Estados Unidos com

33.871.648 milhões de habitantes e 10.079.310 milhões de católicos (30%). Em todo Estado há 14 jurisdições eclesiásticas, das quais são 2 arquidioceses, 10 dioceses e 2 eparquias (para os católicos de rito oriental).

Recentemente um grupo numeroso de Assírios Ortodoxos, liderados por seu Bispo, Mar Bawai Soro, sacerdotes e diáconos, pediu admissão na Igreja Católica e foram incorporados na Eparquia de São Pedro dos Caldeus.

A Capital é Sacramento e a maior cidade é Los Angeles.

OBLATVS recebe visitas de Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Escondido, Long Beach, Montain View, Palo Alto, Salinas e Santa Clara na Califórnia e lhes agradece.

 

Estatísticas:

Arquidiocese de Los Angeles

Popul: 11.096.200; Católicos: 4.174.304 (37,6%); Sacerdotes: 1198; Paróquias:287

Arquidiocese de San Francisco

População: 1.744.050; Católicos:425.210 (24,4%); Sacerdotes: 425; Paróquias: 90

Diocese de Orange na Califórnia

População: 3.000.000; Católicos: 1.170.480 (39%); Sacerdotes: 277; Paróquias:56

Diocese de San Bernardino

População: 3.556.631; Católicos: 1.017.196 (28,6%); Sacerdotes: 244; Paróquias: 97

Diocese de San Diego

População:3.041.195; Católicos: 930.379 (30,6%); Sacerdotes: 330; Paróquias: 98

Diocese de San Jose na Califórnia

População: 1.825.000; Católicos: 630.000 (34,5%); Sacerdotes: 321; Paróquias: 48

Diocese de Fresno

População: 2.584.894; Católicos: 581.000 (22,5%); Sacerdotes: 167; Paróquias: 86

Diocese de Oakland

População: 2.464.379; Católicos:529.841 (21,5%); Sacerdotes: 277; Paróquias: 86

Diocese de Sacramento

População: 3.229.945; Católicos: 520.301 (16,1%); Sacerdotes: 246; Paróquias: 98

Diocese de Stockton

População:1.234.010; Católicos: 207.493 (16,8%); Sacerdotes: 89; Paróquias: 33

Diocese de Monterey

População: 967.992; Católicos: 193.598 (20%); Sacerdotes: 121; Paróquias: 46

Diocese de Santa Rosa na Califórnia

População: 753.893; Católicos: 154.060 (20,4%); Sacerdotes: 95; Paróquias: 42

Eparquia de São Pedro Apóstolo de San Diego dos Caldeus

Católicos: 35.000; Sacerdotes: 13; Paróquias: 11

Eparquia de Nossa Senhora do Líbano de Los Angeles dos Maronitas

Católicos: 27.500; Sacerdotes: 48; Paróquias: 31

Fontes: Catholic Encyclopedia; Archdiocese of San Francisco; Archdiocese of Los Angeles; Diocese of Sacramento;  Diocese of Monterey; Diocese of San Diego; Diocese of Fresno; Diocese of San Bernardino; Diocese of Orange; Diocese of Oakland; Diocese of Santa Rosa; Diocese of Stockton; Diocese of San Jose; Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon; Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle; Catholic Hierarchy;