SPRINGFIELD (MA)
The Republican
By Anne-Gerard Flynn | aflynn@repub.com
on November 23, 2014
This story is updated with remarks by Bishop Mitchell Rozanski, and preliminary funeral arrangements.
SPRINGFIELD – Bishop Emeritus Joseph F. Maguire, fifth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, has died. He had turned 95 on Sept. 4.
According to diocesan spokesman Mark E. Dupont, Maguire died at 6 p.m. at his residence in the Chancery on Elliot Street. His niece and nephews, along with caregivers were present.
“Until a week ago Bishop had been receiving guests and talking on the phone,” Dupont said.
During a hastily called press conference Sunday evening, Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, who was installed as diocesan bishop in August, paid tribute to Maguire as a prelate “committed to ministry and to the service of the people of the Springfield diocese.”
“I could go anywhere, and people would tell me, ‘When you see Bishop Maguire, tell him I say hello,” said Rozanski, adding Western Massachusetts had “lost a great leader and friend.”
Rozanski said Maguire, since turning 95, had grown weaker and “sensed his time was near.”
“It made his faith stronger, which sounds like a contradiction,” Rozanski said. “He laid down the burdens of the elder years.”
A popular bishop, who enjoyed athletics and interacting with parishioners, Maguire also had to face allegations, in retirement, that clergy abuse and cover up of that abuse happened on his watch, and, in a 2012 settlement, he apologized for the victim’s suffering.
When asked about that apology, Rozanski said it signified that Maguire had “felt the pain of those who had been let down.”
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