Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre comprises the territory of Nassau
and Suffolk
counties (regionally known as Long Island
) in New York
state, USA
. Founded in 1957, this diocese was created from territory that once belonged to the Diocese of Brooklyn. It is the sixth-largest Catholic diocese in the United States, currently serving approximately 1.3 million people in 134 parishes. The Most Reverend William Murphy
has served as the diocese's fourth bishop since 2001. Murphy arrived on Long Island
from his native Archdiocese of Boston, where he served under Cardinal Bernard Francis Law as the archdiocese's vicar general
. The diocese is named for the village where its cathedral
, St. Agnes Cathedral
, is located, Rockville Centre in Nassau County.
served as first bishop of the diocese from 1957-1976. Kellenberg was followed by Bishop John McGann, who retired in 2000 and died in 2002. The diocese was led briefly by Bishop James T. McHugh, who died of cancer
on December 10, 2000.
s of the Diocese of Rockville Centre (and their terms of service):
† = deceased
† = deceased
Our Lady of Grace (Manhasset)
St. Martin de Porres (Uniondale)
De La Salle (Freeport)
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
and Suffolk
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
counties (regionally known as Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
) in 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...
state, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 1957, this diocese was created from territory that once belonged to the Diocese of Brooklyn. It is the sixth-largest Catholic diocese in the United States, currently serving approximately 1.3 million people in 134 parishes. The Most Reverend William Murphy
William Murphy (Bishop)
The Most Reverend William Francis Murphy, D.D., S.T.D. is the fourth and current bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York, serving in this capacity since 2001. He was appointed bishop July 26, 2001, and installed September 5, 2001.Murphy is also a member of...
has served as the diocese's fourth bishop since 2001. Murphy arrived on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
from his native Archdiocese of Boston, where he served under Cardinal Bernard Francis Law as the archdiocese's vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
. The diocese is named for the village where its cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
, St. Agnes Cathedral
St. Agnes Cathedral
St. Agnes Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Rockville Centre, New York, on Long Island. It is the seat of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The Most Reverend William Murphy is the ordinary bishop of the Diocese and pastor of the Cathedral parish....
, is located, Rockville Centre in Nassau County.
History
Most Reverend Walter P. KellenbergWalter P. Kellenberg
Walter Philip Kellenberg was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Ogdensburg and Bishop of Rockville Centre .-Biography:...
served as first bishop of the diocese from 1957-1976. Kellenberg was followed by Bishop John McGann, who retired in 2000 and died in 2002. The diocese was led briefly by Bishop James T. McHugh, who died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on December 10, 2000.
Ordinaries
The following is a list of the diocesan bishopDiocesan bishop
A diocesan bishop — in general — is a bishop in charge of a diocese. These are to be distinguished from suffragan bishops, assistant bishops, coadjutor bishops, auxiliary bishops, metropolitans, and primates....
s of the Diocese of Rockville Centre (and their terms of service):
- Bishop Walter P. KellenbergWalter P. KellenbergWalter Philip Kellenberg was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Ogdensburg and Bishop of Rockville Centre .-Biography:...
(1957–1976) † - Bishop John R. McGannJohn R. McGann (Bishop)John Raymond McGann was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Rockville Centre from 1976 to 2000.-Early life and education:...
(1976–2000) † - Bishop James T. McHugh (2000-2000) †
- Bishop William F. Murphy (2001–present)
† = deceased
Current
- Bishop John Charles DunneJohn Charles DunneJohn Charles Dunne is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, serving since 1988.-Biography:...
(1988–present) - Bishop Paul Henry Walsh (2003–present)
Former
- Bishop Vincent John BaldwinVincent John BaldwinVincent John Baldwin was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre from 1962 until his death in 1979.-Biography:...
(1962–1979) † - Bishop James Joseph DalyJames Joseph DalyJames Joseph Daly, is a American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.Daly was born in New York City and was ordained a priest on May 22, 1948 from the Brooklyn diocese. Daly was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre as well as titular bishop of Castra Nova on February 28,...
(1977–1996) - Bishop Peter Anthony LibasciPeter Anthony LibasciPeter Anthony Libasci is the tenth and current bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, in the United States.-Early life and education:...
(2007–2011) - Bishop Alfred John MarkiewiczAlfred John MarkiewiczAlfred John Markiewicz was the second Roman Catholic bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan....
(1986–1994) † - Bishop Gerald Augustine John Ryan (1977–1985) †
- Bishop Emil Aloysius Wcela (1988–2007)
† = deceased
Diocesan
- Holy Trinity Diocesan High SchoolHoly Trinity Diocesan High SchoolHoly Trinity High School is a co-educational learning environment located centrally in Hicksville, Nassau County, New York on Long Island. Education is based on New York State Education Standards with a strong emphasis on Religious Studies as well...
, Hicksville - Bishop McGann-Mercy Diocesan High SchoolBishop McGann-Mercy Diocesan High SchoolBishop McGann-Mercy Diocesan High School, formerly Mercy High School, is a Roman Catholic high school in Riverhead, New York on Long Island...
, Riverhead - St. John the Baptist Diocesan High SchoolSt. John the Baptist Diocesan High SchoolSt. John the Baptist Diocesan High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in West Islip, New York. It is operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre.-Faculty:Faculty members at St...
, West Islip
Private
- Academy of Saint JosephAcademy of Saint JosephThe Academy of Saint Joseph, in Brentwood, New York, was a Catholic college-preparatory school for Kindergarten to Grade 12, single-sex for girls grades 9 - 12...
, Brentwood (Closed June, 2009) - Chaminade High SchoolChaminade High SchoolChaminade High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory high school for young men. Located in Mineola, New York, the school was founded in 1930 by the Society of Mary , an international Roman Catholic teaching order of priests and religious Brothers. The school is named for Father William...
, Mineola - Kellenberg Memorial High SchoolKellenberg Memorial High SchoolKellenberg Memorial High School is a Roman Catholic college-preparatory school in Uniondale, Long Island, New York. Kellenberg is the second Marianist school on Long Island and prides itself on high academic standards combined with a strong focus on faith....
, Uniondale - Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Syosset
- Sacred Heart AcademySacred Heart Academy (New York)Sacred Heart Academy is an all-girls' preparatory school located on Cathedral Avenue, in Hempstead, New York, United States. It is private and Catholic. Located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, it is run by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Sacred Heart Academy is a single-sex...
, Hempstead - St. Anthony's High School, South Huntington
- St. Dominic High SchoolSt. Dominic High School (Oyster Bay, New York)St. Dominic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Oyster Bay, New York. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre.-Background:St. Dominic was established in 1928...
, Oyster Bay - St. Mary's High SchoolSt. Mary's High School (Manhasset, New York)St. Mary's College Preparatory High School is a private Catholic high school in Manhasset, New York. Located on the north shore of Nassau County, also known as the gold coast, the campus is just a few blocks from the Miracle Mile. St...
, Manhasset
Private
- Holy Child Academy (Old Westbury)
Our Lady of Grace (Manhasset)
St. Martin de Porres (Uniondale)
De La Salle (Freeport)
Province of New York
- See: List of the Catholic bishops of the United States