Matthew H. Clark
Encyclopedia
Matthew Harvey Clark is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He is the eighth and current Bishop of Rochester
.
, New York
, to Matthew and Grace (née Bills) Clark. He attended Catholic Central High School
in Troy
and Holy Cross College
in Worcester
, Massachusetts
, before entering Mater Christi Seminary in Albany
.
He also attended St. Bernard's Seminary
in Rochester
, and then furthered his studies in Rome
at the Pontifical North American College
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
.
to the priesthood
by Bishop Martin O'Connor
on December 19, 1962. He obtained a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
from the Gregorian in 1963 and, upon his return to the United States
, taught at the Vincentian Institute in Albany while serving at Our Lady of Mercy Parish.
Clark returned to the Gregorian in 1964, earning a Licentiate of Canon Law
in 1966. From 1966 to 1967, he was vice-chancellor
for the Diocese of Albany
. He then served as assistant pastor
at St. Ambrose Parish in Latham
(1967–1972) and chairman
of the Diocesan Priests' Personnel Board (1969–1972). In 1972, Clark returned to Rome again to serve as assistant spiritual director
of the North American College. He became its full spiritual director in 1974.
by Pope John Paul II
. He received his episcopal consecration
on the following May 27 from John Paul II himself, with Archbishop Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy and Eduardo Martínez Somalo
serving as co-consecrators
, at St. Peter's Basilica
. He selected as his episcopal motto
: "God's Love Endures Forever".
Clark succeeded the retiring Joseph Lloyd Hogan
, and was formally installed
at the Rochester War Memorial
on June 26, 1979. His ongoing, 30-year-long tenure as Bishop
is the second-longest in the Diocese of Rochester
's history, following the 40-year-long tenure of its founding bishop, Bernard John McQuaid
.
Clark's long tenure has been marked by a number of controversies. Generally seen as a progressive, Clark has been criticized for being overly tolerant of homosexuality and even challenging the Vatican's position of not allowing homosexual priests. In 1986, Clark was forced by the then Cardinal Ratzinger at the Vatican to withdraw his imprimatur
, or church approval, from a sex education manual written by a priest in his parish as being "defective" about church teachings. Clark has received some credit for clamping down on abusive priests and in 2004, the diocese was deemed to be in "full compliance" with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops charter for the protection of children and young people. Clark presided over the unpopular closing of many of Rochester's schools and parishes pledging to complete the "re-sizing" of the diocese prior to his retirement in 2012. Others associate the sharp decline in church attendance with his tenure. Clark has also been criticized over his the $11 million renovation and liturgical re-alignment of Sacred Heart Cathedral
while at the same time closing parishes strapped for cash.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
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 is the eighth and current Bishop of Rochester
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester is a diocese of the Catholic Church in the Greater Rochester region of New York State in the United States. The region that the Diocese comprises extends from its northern border on the south shore of Lake Ontario through the Finger Lakes region to its...
.
Early life and education
Matthew Clark was born in WaterfordWaterford (town), New York
Waterford is a town in Saratoga County, New York, USA. The population was 8,515 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from its principal village, also called Waterford. The town and village are in the southeast corner of Saratoga County, and north-northwest of Troy, New York.-...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, to Matthew and Grace (née Bills) Clark. He attended Catholic Central High School
Catholic Central High School (Troy, New York)
Catholic Central High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Troy, New York. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.-Background:...
in Troy
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
and Holy Cross College
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
in Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, before entering Mater Christi Seminary in Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
.
He also attended St. Bernard's Seminary
St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry
St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry is a Roman Catholic theological school in Rochester, New York. It was founded in 1893 as a seminary, and was one of the first US seminaries to accept laity. It is the official repository for the writings and papers of the noted evangelist and author,...
in Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, and then furthered his studies in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
at the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
.
Priesthood
While in Rome, Clark was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Bishop Martin O'Connor
Martin John O'Connor
Martin John O'Connor was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as rector of the Pontifical North American College and president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications ....
on December 19, 1962. He obtained a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
from the Gregorian in 1963 and, upon his return to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, taught at the Vincentian Institute in Albany while serving at Our Lady of Mercy Parish.
Clark returned to the Gregorian in 1964, earning a Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law is the title of an advanced graduate degree with canonical effects in the Roman Catholic Church offered by pontifical universities and ecclesiastical faculties of canon law...
in 1966. From 1966 to 1967, he was vice-chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
for the Diocese of Albany
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany covers all or part of 14 counties in Eastern New York...
. He then served as assistant pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Ambrose Parish in Latham
Latham, New York
Latham is a hamlet in Albany County, New York, United States. It is located along U.S. Route 9 in the town of Colonie, a dense suburb north of Albany.-History:...
(1967–1972) and chairman
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of the Diocesan Priests' Personnel Board (1969–1972). In 1972, Clark returned to Rome again to serve as assistant spiritual director
Spiritual direction
Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. The person seeking direction shares stories of his or her encounters of the divine, or how he or she is experiencing...
of the North American College. He became its full spiritual director in 1974.
Episcopal career
On April 23, 1979, Clark was appointed the eighth Bishop of RochesterRoman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester is a diocese of the Catholic Church in the Greater Rochester region of New York State in the United States. The region that the Diocese comprises extends from its northern border on the south shore of Lake Ontario through the Finger Lakes region to its...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He received his episcopal consecration
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....
on the following May 27 from John Paul II himself, with Archbishop Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy and Eduardo Martínez Somalo
Eduardo Martínez Somalo
Eduardo Martínez Somalo is a Spanish Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.-Early life and ordination:Martínez Somalo was born in the small town of Baños de Río Tobía in La Rioja, Spain, and had five brothers and four sisters...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
, at St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
. He selected as his episcopal motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
: "God's Love Endures Forever".
Clark succeeded the retiring Joseph Lloyd Hogan
Joseph Lloyd Hogan
Joseph Lloyd Hogan was the seventh Roman Catholic bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, New York....
, and was formally installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
at the Rochester War Memorial
Blue Cross Arena
The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Rochester, New York. Its maximum seating capacity is 13,000...
on June 26, 1979. His ongoing, 30-year-long tenure as Bishop
Ordinary
In those hierarchically organised churches of Western Christianity which have an ecclesiastical law system, an ordinary is an officer of the church who by reason of office has ordinary power to execute the church's laws...
is the second-longest in the Diocese of Rochester
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester is a diocese of the Catholic Church in the Greater Rochester region of New York State in the United States. The region that the Diocese comprises extends from its northern border on the south shore of Lake Ontario through the Finger Lakes region to its...
's history, following the 40-year-long tenure of its founding bishop, Bernard John McQuaid
Bernard John McQuaid
Bernard John McQuaid was an American Catholic priest, the first Bishop of Rochester, U.S.A. and the first president of Seton Hall University...
.
Clark's long tenure has been marked by a number of controversies. Generally seen as a progressive, Clark has been criticized for being overly tolerant of homosexuality and even challenging the Vatican's position of not allowing homosexual priests. In 1986, Clark was forced by the then Cardinal Ratzinger at the Vatican to withdraw his imprimatur
Imprimatur
An imprimatur is, in the proper sense, a declaration authorizing publication of a book. The term is also applied loosely to any mark of approval or endorsement.-Catholic Church:...
, or church approval, from a sex education manual written by a priest in his parish as being "defective" about church teachings. Clark has received some credit for clamping down on abusive priests and in 2004, the diocese was deemed to be in "full compliance" with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops charter for the protection of children and young people. Clark presided over the unpopular closing of many of Rochester's schools and parishes pledging to complete the "re-sizing" of the diocese prior to his retirement in 2012. Others associate the sharp decline in church attendance with his tenure. Clark has also been criticized over his the $11 million renovation and liturgical re-alignment of Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral (Rochester)
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Rochester, New York, USA. The recently renovated Cathedral is Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester and seat of the diocesan bishop, as well as home to a parish community. The present parish is known as the Cathedral...
while at the same time closing parishes strapped for cash.