Syracuse, New York: Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia announces pastoral appointments for priests in the Diocese of Syracuse, effective July 1, 2022: Rev. Robert C. Weber, Jr. formerly the Chaplain at Mohawk Correctional Facility has been appointed as Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Clinton with additional sacramental responsibilities at St. Patrick-St.Anthony’s Church in Chadwicks, N.Y.

Last Saturday, racist and horrifying violence took the lives of ten people in Buffalo who were just trying to make a living for their families or to get some shopping errands done. It injured three other persons as well, along with traumatizing many more.

The Catholic Bishops of New York State have released a major new statement on abortion as they anticipate the looming Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, and “the gathering societal unrest over the issue of abortion.” (The full statement is available HERE and in a printable PDF suitable for parish distribution, attached.)

I join the Roman Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Syracuse in prayerful solidarity with our sisters and brothers of the sovereign nation of the Ukraine.  It is most disturbing and saddening to see a nation which acclaims religious orthodoxy to attack fellow believers in such an aggressive and unjust manner.

As I continue to traverse across our diocese to its various corners, I am becoming more familiar with the territory and the faith communities that make up the Roman Catholic Church in Central New York.  Upon study and discussions both with the Diocesan Administrative Team and the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, I am pleased to announce a reformulation of the regions of our Diocese effective January 1, 2022.

Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop of Syracuse, has announced that an allegation made against Father Joseph Scardella has been deemed not credible and unsubstantiated by the Diocesan Review Board. The Board is made up of six individuals - five lay professionals and a member of the clergy - who have extensive backgrounds in areas related to child sexual abuse. 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse is pleased to announce that Beth Lynn Hoey, CFRE has been hired as the Executive Director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, effective October 12, 2021.

Bishop Douglas J. Lucia has accepted the recommendation to unify Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Utica as one parish with a new name, “Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish”.

St. Mary of the Assumption in Oswego will become a diocesan shrine August 15, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia announced in an August 6 letter to the people. At the church, which the bishop established as a personal parish and oratory in 2020, Masses will be offered in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Penance will be available, and “individuals and parish groups alike from throughout the Diocese of Syracuse and even beyond will be able to journey to this place to find spiritual renewal and solace,” Bishop Lucia said in the letter.

It is erroneously being presented by certain news agencies that the U.S. Catholic Bishops have approved the drafting of a document that is aimed specifically at denying certain public officials from the reception of Holy Communion. This slant on the action item voted on could not be further from the truth.

Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop of Syracuse, will be the main celebrant at the Mass of Ordination at 10am in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Downtown Syracuse.  Four men will be ordained to the Priesthood.  They are: Dan Caughey, Brendan Foley, John Leo Odour and Dennis Walker.  Biographical information and first pastoral appointments are listed below.

Bishop Douglas J. Lucia announced the following clergy retirements and appointments May 30: Retirements • Father Paul Alciati, pastor of St. Margaret Church in Homer • Father Douglas Cunningham, administrator of The Catholic Community of St. Stephen-St. Patrick in Marathon and Whitney Point

Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia issued updated COVID protocols that take effect immediately. The changes have been made after consulting the new guidelines provided by the CDC and NYS as well as consultation with staff and medical professionals.

April 15, 2021, remains the deadline for filing proofs of claim in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, New York’s Chapter 11 Bankruptcy case

The Diocese of Syracuse again announces that the Honorable Margaret Cangilos- Ruiz, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of New York, issued an order establishing April 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. as the deadline (Bar Date) for filing proofs of claim in the Diocese of Syracuse’s Chapter 11 reorganization proceeding. 

Syracuse Diocese Catholic Schools Receives $ 1 Million from the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund Supported by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation: The Syracuse Diocese Catholic Schools Office today announces a $1 Million grant from the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund supported by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. The Scholarships for Scholars program of the Catholic Schools Office is receiving a $500,000 grant for K- 12 scholarships and a $500,000 technology grant to help address critical technology needs for hybrid and virtual learning.

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Chief Judge Margaret Cangilos-Ruiz Sets April 15, 2021 as Deadline for Filing Proofs of Claim in Diocese of Syracuse’s Chapter 11 Reorganization Case. The Honorable Margaret Cangilos- Ruiz, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of New York, has issued an order establishing April 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. as the deadline (Bar Date) for filing proofs of claim in the Diocese of Syracuse’s Chapter 11 reorganization proceeding.

A letter from Bishop Lucia regarding COVID-19 and a recent Supreme Court decision.

I had hoped that I would not have to write another letter regarding the imposition of restrictions on public worship. However, due to the surge of COVID-19 in parts of the Diocese of Syracuse and the imposition of the “Orange Zone” in parts of the City of Syracuse, Dewitt, Solvay, and Lyncourt, new restrictions have been placed on a variety of activities including Houses of Worship.