Francis X. DiLorenzo
Encyclopedia
Francis Xavier DiLorenzo (born April 15, 1942) is a bishop
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu
in Hawaii
, and is currently the twelfth bishop of the Diocese of Richmond
in Virginia
.
, DiLorenzo was ordained to the priesthood in his hometown on May 18, 1968, at the age of 26. On January 26, 1988, he was appointed an auxiliary bishop
of the Diocese of Scranton
. He was consecrated titular bishop
of Tigia on March 8 of that year.
, the Most Rev. Joseph Anthony Ferrario
fell ill and requested that the Vatican
consider his resignation for health reasons. The Vatican's Congregation for Bishops accepted Ferrario's resignation and appointed an apostolic administrator to fulfill his episcopal duties.
Bishop DiLorenzo was moved from Pennsylvania
and appointed to the Hawaii Catholic Church as the Apostolic Administrator of Honolulu. After about a year in service to the See of Honolulu as Apostolic Administrator, Bishop DiLorenzo was permanently appointed bishop on November 29, 1994.
Ceremonies, including native Hawaiian and multi-ethnic representation, occurred at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace (Solemn Vespers on November 28, 1994, during which he took canonical possession of the diocese) and the Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus (at a Pontifical Mass and installation as Ordinary of the See of Honolulu in the presence of the Honolulu presbyterium
). In attendance were: Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan as the Apostolic Delegate, Cardinal Pio Taofinu'u of Samoa, Archbishop John R. Quinn
of San Francisco, and many religious and laity.
, bringing the diocese closer to youth
and offering a welcoming ministry to gay
s and lesbian
s. A few critics attacked Ferrario for creating a "haven" for gay clergy
.
Bishop DiLorenzo appointed Father Marc Alexander, S.T.D. as diocesan theologian with specific instructions actively to promote the church's teaching on homosexuality and pro-life issues. Father Alexander, at Bishop DiLorenzo's behest, participated in coalitions such as the "Alliance for Traditional Marriage" and "Hawaii's Future Today" with political activist Mike Gabbard, the Mormons
and other conservative groups in a campaign to prevent same sex marriage in the State of Hawaii.
Another of Bishop DiLorenzo's changes for the Honolulu See was the summary dismissal of Maryknoll
Sister Joan Chatfield, Ph.D., as the diocesan ecumenical liaison. Bishop DiLorenzo shifted the church back to what he regarded as being closer to its roots in keeping with teachings of the Church against same-sex intercourse, in both its laity as well as its clergy.
at the hands of priests—a policy that came about well before the Catholic sex abuse scandals that plagued the rest of the nation in the early 2000s.
, Father Nathan Mamo. In a published letter dated July 7, 1999, Father Mamo wrote, "I was quite upset over a whole host of problems in church governance, management and internal politics, problems which are real and grave." http://pages.ivillage.com/imhabba63/marriedcatholicpriest/id100.html Bishop DiLorenzo transferred Father Mamo from the Cathedral parish to a suburban church, Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, in Mililani Town. Bishop DiLorenzo and Father Mamo continued to argue vehemently even after the transfer and Father Mamo decided to leave Hawai`i. He wrote, "I have become over the most recent 5 years... completely unable to keep that solemn promise with the current bishop. It's not simply a matter of differing opinions; it's a matter of integrity. I am unable to respect and obey him because my conscience doesn't allow me to cooperate in his methods." http://pages.ivillage.com/imhabba63/marriedcatholicpriest/id100.html While remaining incardinated in the Honolulu see, Father Mamo applied and was accepted for service in the Diocese of San Jose in California
where he ministers as a parochial vicar at Saint Joseph of Cupertino Parish with the hope of eventually returning to Hawai`i to serve under a new bishop.
Also, in 2003, Bishop DiLorenzo retired Father George DeCosta, who authored a letter to the editor of the Hawaii Catholic Herald that was critical of Bishop DiLorenzo's novel "Island Treasures" program. Fr. DeCosta served as the pastor of Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Keaukaha and founded the annual "Big Island Liturgy and Arts Conference."
announced the transfer of Bishop DiLorenzo to the see of Richmond
. Bishop DiLorenzo was officially installed at his new cathedral on May 24, 2004.
. At the time, Johnson had served as the secretary for the Women's Ordination Conference, an international group that for about 25 years has asked the Vatican to open ordination to both men and women despite the "Letter to Women" written by John Paul II which effectively ended serious debate on the subject. Johnson met with Bishop DiLorenzo on June 25, 2004, and claimed that the bishop told her that her view on ordination was "not Catholic" and that she "had become a Protestant."
, and Mrs. Elizabeth Glenn, resigned their positions as pastoral coordinators with the diocese. Sister Edna had served as pastoral coordinator for a total of 21 years at Saint Paschal Baylon in South Boston
and at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary in Brookneal
. Sister Bernice had served the diocese since 1977 at St. Mary's Church in Chesapeake, Virginia
, and plans to seek a ministry in Baltimore. Mrs. Glenn had served as pastoral coordinator at Resurrection in Portsmouth
and Holy Spirit in Virginia Beach. Pastoral coordinators are paid positions with the diocese that can be filled by a deacon or a layman. Appointment to these positions is made by the bishop. http://www.catholicvirginian.org/2005vol80iss14/article3.htm
as diocesan theologian, a post that had been vacant since 1998. As theologian, Father Smith would examine for conformance to Catholic teaching all draft documents and issue approvals authorizing the publication of all printed materials generated by the diocese. Father Smith also would: (1) approve in advance any person who wishes to speak anywhere on Catholic church property in the diocese; (2) investigate complaints from parishioners who complain about liturgical abuses in a particular church and respond; and (3) recommend sanctions against persons responsible for such abuse to Bishop DiLorenzo. DiLorenzo himself noted that these kinds of checks and controls were needed because some people in the diocese were used to living outside the traditional boundaries of Catholicism.
a 25-minute ride. Some Catholics have raised questions about the move and see it as a way to distance himself from his flock. But DiLorenzo says it wasn't, pointing out that he's only 25 minutes away from the diocesan offices. He also pointed out that the move saved the Diocese money: "Do I need to live in a three-story building by myself? I don't think so." The three-story house was turned into offices for those working in a building that the diocese was renting for $35,000 a year. "We saved ourselves thirty-some thousand a year," said Bishop DiLorenzo, "and I moved to Midlothian, a very quiet place."
, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, for a history of using offensive language during mass which culminated in a grossly sacrilegious reference to the Virgin Mary at a Christmas Eve mass, although a significant number of parishioners appealed against the decision.
Center on Indian River Road, the Reverend Pantaleon Manalo, has filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court, seeking $1.35 million alleging defamation by a group of people who accused him of financial improprieties, unexplained wealth, missing annual financial reports, abuse of power and making inappropriate sexual statements. The group consists of members or former members, of the San Lorenzo Spiritual Center, who in April 2004, sent a petition to a newly-arrived Bishop DiLorenzo, alleging various acts committed by Father Manalo.
The petition helped convince the vicar forane, Msgr. Thomas J. Caroluzza, to ask for Father Manalo's resignation in December. On December 10, 2005, Bishop DiLorenzo terminated Fr. Manalo's position, but subsequently temporarily stayed that decision. After further investigation, DiLorenzo announced that Father Manalo had done no wrong, since the diocese investigated San Lorenzo Spiritual Center and not Fr. Manalo, but he would have to step down from his leadership post at the center. http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=87269&ran=117534 Although Father Manalo continued on as a spiritual director of the center and chaplain at two nearby hospitals. Bishop DiLorenzo appointed Father Salvador Anonuevo, pastor of Saint Luke parish in Virginia Beach as administrator of the center. The San Lorenzo Spiritual Center is the site of spiritual and cultural celebrations for some 23,000 Filipinos living in Hampton Roads. http://www.catholicvirginian.org/2005vol80iss7/
On August 1, 2005, Judge Padrick, Circuit Court of Virginia, dismissed the defamation lawsuit in that it is an "intrusion into church affairs and violated the religious protections of the U.S. Constitution and the Virginia Constitution" per Brandon H. Zeigler, the defendants' attorney. Manalo's attorney, Robert L. Samuel Jr. said, he expects to appeal Padrick's ruling to the Virginia Supreme Court. http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=90281&ran=61910
Bishop DiLorenzo appointed the Rev. Jesse Enciso, Pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, as the administrator of San Lorenzo Spiritual Center. The former administrator, Fr. Anonuevo, has returned to the U.S. after a three-month absence since May 2005. Fr. Jesse Enciso resigned his position as administrator effective October 15, 2005. This belies the difficulty and complexity that the center poses to any leadership. A new lay administrator is to be appointed by the Bishop. The Bishop has appointed Mrs. Marilyn Aguirre as interim administrator to San Lorenzo. Mrs. Aguirre and San Lorenzo Administration has reinstated Fr. Manalo as spiritual advisor to the center.
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu
Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu
The Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, officially in Latin Dioecesis Honoluluensis, is an ecclesiastical territory or particular church of the Catholic Church in the United States...
in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, and is currently the twelfth bishop of the Diocese of Richmond
Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond is an ecclesiastical and episcopal see or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Its current territory was created by Pope Paul VI and encompasses all of central and southern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and the eastern shore...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Early life and career
Born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, DiLorenzo was ordained to the priesthood in his hometown on May 18, 1968, at the age of 26. On January 26, 1988, he was appointed an auxiliary bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the Diocese of Scranton
Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, of which St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is the mother church, consists of 11 counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States....
. He was consecrated titular bishop
Titular see
A titular see in various churches is an episcopal see of a former diocese that no longer functions, sometimes called a "dead diocese". The ordinary or hierarch of such a see may be styled a "titular bishop", "titular metropolitan", or "titular archbishop"....
of Tigia on March 8 of that year.
Bishop of Honolulu
In 1994, the previous incumbent as Bishop of HonoluluCathedral of Our Lady of Peace
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace — also known by its original French name Cathédrale de Notre Dame de la Paix, its Portuguese variant Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Paz and its Hawaiian derivative Malia o ka Malu Hale Pule Nui — is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Honolulu and houses...
, the Most Rev. Joseph Anthony Ferrario
Joseph Anthony Ferrario
Joseph Anthony Ferrario was the third bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and served from 1982 to 1993.-Early life and priestly ministry:...
fell ill and requested that the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
consider his resignation for health reasons. The Vatican's Congregation for Bishops accepted Ferrario's resignation and appointed an apostolic administrator to fulfill his episcopal duties.
Bishop DiLorenzo was moved from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and appointed to the Hawaii Catholic Church as the Apostolic Administrator of Honolulu. After about a year in service to the See of Honolulu as Apostolic Administrator, Bishop DiLorenzo was permanently appointed bishop on November 29, 1994.
Ceremonies, including native Hawaiian and multi-ethnic representation, occurred at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace (Solemn Vespers on November 28, 1994, during which he took canonical possession of the diocese) and the Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus (at a Pontifical Mass and installation as Ordinary of the See of Honolulu in the presence of the Honolulu presbyterium
Presbyterium
Presbyterium is a modern term used in the Catholic Church and Eastern Catholic Churches after the Second Vatican Council in reference to a college of priests, in active ministry, of an individual particular church such as a diocese or eparchy...
). In attendance were: Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan as the Apostolic Delegate, Cardinal Pio Taofinu'u of Samoa, Archbishop John R. Quinn
John R. Quinn
John Raphael Quinn is a Roman Catholic bishop, currently the Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of San Francisco; he served as the archdiocese's sixth archbishop from 1977 to 1995...
of San Francisco, and many religious and laity.
Opposition to gay rights
Bishop DiLorenzo steered the Hawai`i Catholic Church through various and often controversial issues. His predecessor was considered by many to have governed liberallyLiberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
, bringing the diocese closer to youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
and offering a welcoming ministry to gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
s and lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
s. A few critics attacked Ferrario for creating a "haven" for gay clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
.
Bishop DiLorenzo appointed Father Marc Alexander, S.T.D. as diocesan theologian with specific instructions actively to promote the church's teaching on homosexuality and pro-life issues. Father Alexander, at Bishop DiLorenzo's behest, participated in coalitions such as the "Alliance for Traditional Marriage" and "Hawaii's Future Today" with political activist Mike Gabbard, the Mormons
Mormons
The Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
and other conservative groups in a campaign to prevent same sex marriage in the State of Hawaii.
Another of Bishop DiLorenzo's changes for the Honolulu See was the summary dismissal of Maryknoll
Maryknoll Sisters
The Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, or simply Maryknoll Sisters, are a group of Roman Catholic women religious founded in the Village of Ossining, Westchester County, New York, in 1912, six months after the 1911 creation of the Maryknoll community of missionary brothers and fathers...
Sister Joan Chatfield, Ph.D., as the diocesan ecumenical liaison. Bishop DiLorenzo shifted the church back to what he regarded as being closer to its roots in keeping with teachings of the Church against same-sex intercourse, in both its laity as well as its clergy.
Sexual abuse scandals
Bishop DiLorenzo is often credited with creating the first zero tolerance policy on allegations of sexual abuseSexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
at the hands of priests—a policy that came about well before the Catholic sex abuse scandals that plagued the rest of the nation in the early 2000s.
Criticism
Bishop DiLorenzo's reforms created a great deal of frustration among diocesan priests who believed that the bishop's tactics were disruptive to the larger Catholic community in Hawai`i. His most outspoken critic was the rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of PeaceCathedral of Our Lady of Peace
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace — also known by its original French name Cathédrale de Notre Dame de la Paix, its Portuguese variant Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Paz and its Hawaiian derivative Malia o ka Malu Hale Pule Nui — is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Honolulu and houses...
, Father Nathan Mamo. In a published letter dated July 7, 1999, Father Mamo wrote, "I was quite upset over a whole host of problems in church governance, management and internal politics, problems which are real and grave." http://pages.ivillage.com/imhabba63/marriedcatholicpriest/id100.html Bishop DiLorenzo transferred Father Mamo from the Cathedral parish to a suburban church, Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, in Mililani Town. Bishop DiLorenzo and Father Mamo continued to argue vehemently even after the transfer and Father Mamo decided to leave Hawai`i. He wrote, "I have become over the most recent 5 years... completely unable to keep that solemn promise with the current bishop. It's not simply a matter of differing opinions; it's a matter of integrity. I am unable to respect and obey him because my conscience doesn't allow me to cooperate in his methods." http://pages.ivillage.com/imhabba63/marriedcatholicpriest/id100.html While remaining incardinated in the Honolulu see, Father Mamo applied and was accepted for service in the Diocese of San Jose in California
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in California
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San José; in California is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northern California region of the United States. It comprises Santa Clara County, and is led by a bishop. Its patron saints are Saint Joseph and Saint Clare of...
where he ministers as a parochial vicar at Saint Joseph of Cupertino Parish with the hope of eventually returning to Hawai`i to serve under a new bishop.
Also, in 2003, Bishop DiLorenzo retired Father George DeCosta, who authored a letter to the editor of the Hawaii Catholic Herald that was critical of Bishop DiLorenzo's novel "Island Treasures" program. Fr. DeCosta served as the pastor of Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Keaukaha and founded the annual "Big Island Liturgy and Arts Conference."
Bishop of Richmond
On March 31, 2004, the VaticanHoly See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
announced the transfer of Bishop DiLorenzo to the see of Richmond
Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond is an ecclesiastical and episcopal see or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Its current territory was created by Pope Paul VI and encompasses all of central and southern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and the eastern shore...
. Bishop DiLorenzo was officially installed at his new cathedral on May 24, 2004.
Dismissal of women's commission member
On the week of his installation as ordinary of the Richmond see, Bishop DiLorenzo dismissed a member of the diocese's women's commission, Judy Johnson, of Virginia BeachVirginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
. At the time, Johnson had served as the secretary for the Women's Ordination Conference, an international group that for about 25 years has asked the Vatican to open ordination to both men and women despite the "Letter to Women" written by John Paul II which effectively ended serious debate on the subject. Johnson met with Bishop DiLorenzo on June 25, 2004, and claimed that the bishop told her that her view on ordination was "not Catholic" and that she "had become a Protestant."
Resignations of three women pastoral coordinators
As of June 2005, Sister Edna Maier, S.N.D., and Sister Bernice McCourt, S.N.D., both members of the Sisters of Notre Dame de NamurSisters of Notre Dame de Namur
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, is the name of a Roman Catholic order of religious sisters, dedicated to providing education to the poor.The order was founded in Amiens in 1803, but the opposition of the local bishop to missions outside his diocese led to the moving of headquarters to then...
, and Mrs. Elizabeth Glenn, resigned their positions as pastoral coordinators with the diocese. Sister Edna had served as pastoral coordinator for a total of 21 years at Saint Paschal Baylon in South Boston
South Boston, Virginia
South Boston is a town in Halifax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,142 at the 2010 census.- History :On December 8, 1796, the General Assembly authorized eight commissioners to establish at Boyd's Ferry on the south side of the Dan River the town of South Boston, named for...
and at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary in Brookneal
Brookneal, Virginia
Brookneal is an incorporated town in Campbell County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,259 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Sister Bernice had served the diocese since 1977 at St. Mary's Church in Chesapeake, Virginia
Chesapeake, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 199,184 people, 69,900 households, and 54,172 families residing in the city. The population density was 584.6 people per square mile . There were 72,672 housing units at an average density of 213.3 per square mile...
, and plans to seek a ministry in Baltimore. Mrs. Glenn had served as pastoral coordinator at Resurrection in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
and Holy Spirit in Virginia Beach. Pastoral coordinators are paid positions with the diocese that can be filled by a deacon or a layman. Appointment to these positions is made by the bishop. http://www.catholicvirginian.org/2005vol80iss14/article3.htm
Appointment of diocesan theologian and investigation of liturgical abuse
Upon his installation, Bishop DiLorenzo reactivated the diocese's liturgical commission and named Father Russell Smith, S.T.D., parochial vicar at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in New Kent CountyNew Kent County, Virginia
At the 2000 census, there were 13,462 people, 4,925 households and 3,895 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 per square mile . There were 5,203 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
as diocesan theologian, a post that had been vacant since 1998. As theologian, Father Smith would examine for conformance to Catholic teaching all draft documents and issue approvals authorizing the publication of all printed materials generated by the diocese. Father Smith also would: (1) approve in advance any person who wishes to speak anywhere on Catholic church property in the diocese; (2) investigate complaints from parishioners who complain about liturgical abuses in a particular church and respond; and (3) recommend sanctions against persons responsible for such abuse to Bishop DiLorenzo. DiLorenzo himself noted that these kinds of checks and controls were needed because some people in the diocese were used to living outside the traditional boundaries of Catholicism.
Move from Cathedral residence
Bishop DiLorenzo has moved his residence from Cathedral Place to MidlothianMidlothian, Virginia
Midlothian is an unincorporated community in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. Founded over 300 years ago as a coal mining village, it is now a suburban community located in the Southside of Richmond well beyond the city limits of Richmond in the Richmond–Petersburg region.It was named...
a 25-minute ride. Some Catholics have raised questions about the move and see it as a way to distance himself from his flock. But DiLorenzo says it wasn't, pointing out that he's only 25 minutes away from the diocesan offices. He also pointed out that the move saved the Diocese money: "Do I need to live in a three-story building by myself? I don't think so." The three-story house was turned into offices for those working in a building that the diocese was renting for $35,000 a year. "We saved ourselves thirty-some thousand a year," said Bishop DiLorenzo, "and I moved to Midlothian, a very quiet place."
Dissolution of the diocesan sexual minorities commission
Bishop DiLorenzo ended the diocesan sexual minorities commission because it had outlived its usefulness. "What was being done was not a ministry. It was trying to make a statement... for people who see themselves discriminated against. The statement that needed to be made has been made. We are not going to make a big deal about what your fantasy sexual life is," Bishop DiLorenzo said, adding that there are moral expectations for everyone. "I think most people would agree that the ministry is to call all persons to Jesus Christ in discipleship. The gender issue was not raised by Jesus.... Jesus called everyone to holiness. Are there certain groups in our population that need help in that journey?"Increase in clustering and consultant review of Curial Bodies
Bishop DiLorenzo has increased the number of clustered parishes. He has also brought in consultants to review some diocesan departments and commissions that need to be abolished. http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031782989013Father Thomas J. Quinlan
Bishop DiLorenzo forcibly retired Father Thomas J. QuinlanThomas J. Quinlan
The Reverend Thomas J. Quinlan was a Roman Catholic priest of the Richmond diocese.-Career:Father Quinlan was ordained priest on May 1, 1958, and was named a curate at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria, Virginia...
, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, for a history of using offensive language during mass which culminated in a grossly sacrilegious reference to the Virgin Mary at a Christmas Eve mass, although a significant number of parishioners appealed against the decision.
Filipino American Center in Virginia Beach, VA
The pastor of the Richmond diocese's FilipinoFilipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
Center on Indian River Road, the Reverend Pantaleon Manalo, has filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court, seeking $1.35 million alleging defamation by a group of people who accused him of financial improprieties, unexplained wealth, missing annual financial reports, abuse of power and making inappropriate sexual statements. The group consists of members or former members, of the San Lorenzo Spiritual Center, who in April 2004, sent a petition to a newly-arrived Bishop DiLorenzo, alleging various acts committed by Father Manalo.
The petition helped convince the vicar forane, Msgr. Thomas J. Caroluzza, to ask for Father Manalo's resignation in December. On December 10, 2005, Bishop DiLorenzo terminated Fr. Manalo's position, but subsequently temporarily stayed that decision. After further investigation, DiLorenzo announced that Father Manalo had done no wrong, since the diocese investigated San Lorenzo Spiritual Center and not Fr. Manalo, but he would have to step down from his leadership post at the center. http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=87269&ran=117534 Although Father Manalo continued on as a spiritual director of the center and chaplain at two nearby hospitals. Bishop DiLorenzo appointed Father Salvador Anonuevo, pastor of Saint Luke parish in Virginia Beach as administrator of the center. The San Lorenzo Spiritual Center is the site of spiritual and cultural celebrations for some 23,000 Filipinos living in Hampton Roads. http://www.catholicvirginian.org/2005vol80iss7/
On August 1, 2005, Judge Padrick, Circuit Court of Virginia, dismissed the defamation lawsuit in that it is an "intrusion into church affairs and violated the religious protections of the U.S. Constitution and the Virginia Constitution" per Brandon H. Zeigler, the defendants' attorney. Manalo's attorney, Robert L. Samuel Jr. said, he expects to appeal Padrick's ruling to the Virginia Supreme Court. http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=90281&ran=61910
Bishop DiLorenzo appointed the Rev. Jesse Enciso, Pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, as the administrator of San Lorenzo Spiritual Center. The former administrator, Fr. Anonuevo, has returned to the U.S. after a three-month absence since May 2005. Fr. Jesse Enciso resigned his position as administrator effective October 15, 2005. This belies the difficulty and complexity that the center poses to any leadership. A new lay administrator is to be appointed by the Bishop. The Bishop has appointed Mrs. Marilyn Aguirre as interim administrator to San Lorenzo. Mrs. Aguirre and San Lorenzo Administration has reinstated Fr. Manalo as spiritual advisor to the center.
See also
- Sexual abuse scandal in Honolulu diocese