Bishop talks about hobbies and his plans for the Diocese

By Laura Hutchinson
WWLP
August 6, 2014

http://wwlp.com/2014/08/06/bishop-talks-about-hobbies-and-his-plans-for-the-diocese/

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Next week the western Massachusetts Catholic community will officially welcome their new Bishop.

22News spoke with Bishop Mitchell Rozanski Wednesday about how he’s getting settled and what he plans to do here.

The announcement was made in June and he’s made sporadic appearances since then but, next week Bishop Mitchell Rozanski will officially be installed into the Diocese of Springfield to replace Timothy McDonnell who retired.

“I’m glad to be here, it’s wonderful to be settled in,” Rozanski said.

Bishop Rozanski moved in from Baltimore last week and told 22News he has yet to be bitten by “Red Sox Fever.”

“I like to follow the Orioles, they’re doing very well this season, maybe I should not mention that in Springfield but that’s part of who I am. I do like to read mystery novels to relax.”

However, he says his heart is with the church and he hopes to inspire more parishioners to walk through these doors.

“St. Paul tells us we are ambassadors for Christ.”

Bishop Rozanski acknowledges the Catholic Church has had its challenges from sex abuse scandals and the cover-ups that followed although he says he’s never been a part of it.

“No, no when I was both a priest and Bishop in Baltimore, we had a very proactive archbishop, series of Archbishops in terms of abuse.”

He says he’s learned from some of the best and knows how he’d handle a crisis. Although right now, he’s focused on getting settled in and meeting his neighbors.

“I’ve received already many invitations.”

Which he’ll have more time to respond to after next Tuesday’s installation.

22News will carry it for you live at 2:00pm next Tuesday.