Pope Francis Names New Bishop for Diocese of Springfield

WGGB
June 19, 2014

http://www.wggb.com/2014/06/19/pope-francis-names-bishop-mitchell-thomas-rozanski-9th-bishop-of-springfield/


Pope Francis today named a new bishop of the Springfield Diocese to replace retiring Bishop Timothy McDonnell.

Bishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski is currently Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Today’s announcement comes almost 18 months after Bishop Timothy McDonnell announced his retirement.

Bishop Rozanski now becomes the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield.

Bishop Rozanski is 55 years old. He the first Polish American to serve as Bishop of the Springfield diocese and is a native of Baltimore.

He was ordained a priest in 1984 and was installed as auxiliary bishop of the Baltimore Archdiocese in 2004.

Bishop Rozanski explains that his roots are being a parish priest and he will use that model in his new capacity here in western Massachusetts

“I was ordained and for 20 years, I was a parish priest, so my whole model of ministry is parish priesthood. I was shocked when I was named Auxiliary Bishop because I had never worked in the chancery. So I love being out among the people and I get great satisfaction from being out among the people and I look forward to working with priests, the religious men and women and the people of the diocese,” Rozanski says.

Retiring Bishop Timothy McDonnell says the people of Western Massachusetts will like their new bishop,” Bishop Rozanski is one of the most affable, personable, good people we could possibly have here,” says Bishop McDonnell.

Sr. Judith O’Connell of the Sisters of St. Joseph feels Bishop Rozanski will be good for Western Massachusetts,” I love the idea and the reality that he’s been a pastor for 20 years and that means he’s a man who really has a feel for the people of the church,” says Sr. O’Connell.

Father Matthew Alcombright of Mary Mother of Hope Parish likes what he’s seen,” What I’ve seen from him and heard today is a man who’s open to embrace this diocese, who’s able to come in and embrace what’s happening here and to move forward with it,” says Fr. Alcombright.

Bishop Rozanski will be officially installed on August 12 at St. Michael’s Cathedral.