Bishop Rhoades to replace Bishop D'Arcy in Notre Dame's diocese

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Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades

South Bend, Ind., Nov 15, 2009 / 10:19 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI appointed on Saturday Bishop of Harrisburg, Penn. Kevin C. Rhoades as the ninth Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, the diocese that includes the University of Notre Dame.

Bishop Rhoades will replace Bishop John D'Arcy, who until Saturday was the oldest bishop governing a diocese in the US. He was prominent early this year for his strong stance against President Obama’s Notre Dame invitation.

Bishop D’Arcy strongly criticized Notre Dame President John Jenkins, C.S.C. for honoring the President despite his pro-abortion stance, and made good on his pledge to stay away from the graduation. He decided at the last minute to attend what he called a “prayerful” graduation alternative organized on the campus by ND Response, a student-led pro-life group.

Bishop Rhoades was born November 26, 1957, in Mahanoy City, Penn. and graduated from Lebanon Catholic High School in 1975.

He enrolled at Mount Saint Mary’s College (now University) in Emmitsburg, Maryland in the fall of 1975 and studied there for two years. In 1977, he entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Penn., earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy there in 1979. He did his theological studies at the North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University, both in Rome, from 1979-1983. He also studied Spanish at the University of Salamanca in Spain during the summer of 1982.

He was ordained a priest of the Harrisburg Diocese on July 9, 1983. Besides being a parochial vicar at Saint Patrick Parish in York, he ministered in the Spanish-speaking apostolates at Cristo Salvador Parish in York and Cristo Rey Mission in Bendersville.

In 1985 he returned to the Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned advanced degrees in dogmatic theology and canon law.

Then in 1988, he returned to the Harrisburg Diocese to serve as assistant chancellor under then-Bishop Keeler. During this time, he also ministered as the director of the diocesan Spanish apostolate.

In 1995 he accepted a full-time faculty position with Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary.

In March 1997, he was named rector of the Seminary, an office he held until his appointment by Pope John Paul II as Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg on October 14, 2004.

Bishop Rhoades served until today as President of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference and as Co-chair of the Pennsylvania Conference on Interchurch Cooperation.

“Naturally, it will not be easy for me to bid farewell to my family and friends, my brother priests and the faithful of the Harrisburg diocese," Bishop Rhoades said in a statement. “My greatest joys as Bishop have been in being with the people, teaching the faith, and celebrating the sacraments.”

He noted his new diocese differs from the Diocese of Harrisburg in that it has five Catholic colleges and universities "including the internationally renowned University of Notre Dame."

“I ask for the people’s prayers that I might be a true shepherd after the heart of Christ,” he added.

Bishop Rhoades will be installed as Bishop D'Arcy's successor on January 13, 2010.

Comments: 15

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Leon
Olathe, KS 11/20/2009 08:14 PM EST

I was saddened to see the comments alluding to the false charge that Bishop Rhoades espouses a "dual covenant" approach, both because they are reckless statements, and also because they seem to be taking advantage of the opportunity to smear a bishop rather than offer fair commentary on this particular article. I share Phil's concerns about Notre Dame, concerns that obviously long pre-date Bishop Rhoades' appointment. I sat down with Bishop Rhoades this week and asked him about Notre Dame. That interview is posted at the Catholic Key blog. In my opinion, Bishop Rhoades has the right tools (e.g., orthodoxy, pastoral sensitivity, courage, openness to dialogue, etc.) for restoring the luster of the Golden Dome. Let's pray for him!

Published by: M. Forrest
United States 11/19/2009 11:53 AM EST

Phil, I think most people recognize a difference between presenting differing ideas and confusing or misleading young minds with immoral advocacy under the guise of a "full exchange of ideas." At the least, when a Catholic parent sends a child to a Catholic University, he ought to be able to trust that his children will receive and be intellectually, emotionally and spiritually formed by faithful, orthodox *Catholic* teaching. Then that formation can be used in assessing and discussing "all ideas." Unfortunately, too many "Catholic" colleges have become little different (or perhaps worse) than secular ones. It's perhaps better to send a child to a purely "secular" university where she knows she will have to fight for her faith than to send her to a so-called "Catholic" one where she can have her faith gently sucked away. One also wonders if that "full exchange of all ideas" you mentioned should include a sympathetic and positive presentation of pedophilia as organizations like NAMBLA advocate, as well as "honor killings", etc. or are there limits? Bishop Rhoades is a faithful, humble and thoughtful man who knows how to maintain balance. I have every confidence that he will serve the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend very well.

Published by: Phil Stone
Chicago/IL/USA 11/17/2009 07:00 PM EST

Bishop Rhoades hopefully understands as a teacher that Notre Dame's preemeninece arises from presenting Catholic ideas and values, but also encouraging the full exchange of all ideas. It is a University, not a Catholic high school, after all. If some Catholic parents want to send their children to a college where they will never be exposed to ideas at odds with the Church, that is their children's loss. How ironic to call that a "Catholic" education.

Published by: Convert
United States 11/17/2009 04:06 PM EST

Bishop Rhoades wrote a letter to the editor in Lay Witness magazine (Sept/Oct 2009) that makes it perfectly plain that he does not subscribe to the dual covenant theory. Here's a link to it: http://www.cufblog.org/?p=561

Published by: Michael Austen
Pembroke, ON, Canada 11/17/2009 10:35 AM EST

Fred, next time you drop a hanging comment like that, you may want to 1) know that Bishop Rhoades is NOT a proponent of Dual Covenant Theory, and 2) give at least a little background on the topic for unsuspecting readers. All salvation passes through Jesus Christ. Bishop Rhoades knows this and South Bend doesn't need to worry about him bringing heresy into his new diocese.

Published by: David Palm
Westby, WI 11/17/2009 10:34 AM EST

"Fred", for the sake of your soul and the good of others, please get your facts straight before you publicly accuse a Catholic bishop of spreading heresy.

Published by: Convert
United States 11/17/2009 10:33 AM EST

Fred - that's false. You should find better sources for your information before spreading accusations like that. Bishop Rhoades doesn't believe or teach the dual covenant. He's a good bishop and Harrisburg will miss him.

Published by: Alice DeClemente
Cape Coral, FL, USA 11/16/2009 12:44 PM EST

Bishop D'Arcy became ONE of my HERO(s) that day he stood UP FOR LIFE!! May GOD grant him grace and long life. I also pray for Bishop Rhoades as he begins this new journey leading the people of Fort Wayne-South Bend and especially Notre Dame. May he walk in the footsteps of the Will of GOD and shine like his predecessor with the Light of Christ. Amen.

Published by: Lionel Andrades
Rome,Italy 11/16/2009 10:00 AM EST

VATICAN COUNCIL II SAYS OUTSIDE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THERE IS NO SALVATION Bishop Rhoades is unable to say that the Catholic Church teaches that Jews need to convert for salvation;to avoid Hell. Vatican Council II says outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation. Extra ecclesiam nulla salus. The Catholic Church teaches after Vatican Council II (1965) that all people need to enter the Catholic Church to go to Heaven (Ad Gentes 7, Vatican Council II). Catholic Faith with the Baptism of water is the normal, ordinary way of salvation for all people (Lumen Gentium 14, Vatican Council II).The Catholic Church is the ordinary way of salvation for all people (Lumen Gentium 14).Non Catholics however can be saved through the extraordinary means of salvation (Lumen Gentium 16).Only God knows who are the non-Catholics saved through the extraordinary means of salvation; the exceptions. We do not know who the exceptions are. We cannot judge.Jesus, the Church, Scripture and Vatican Council II indicate that the priority is Catholic Faith and the Baptism of water for all people. So everyone needs to enter the Catholic Church which is the like the only Ark of Noah that saves in the Flood (CCC).Non Catholic religions have good things in them. However they are not paths to salvation.All salvation comes through Jesus and His Mystical Body the Church.Those non-Catholics who know the above information and yet do not enter the Church are oriented to Hell (Ad Gentes 7, Lumen Gentium 14)

Published by: Fred
Scranton 11/15/2009 11:48 PM EST

A well intentioned man but pray he doesn't try to force the Dual Covenant Heresy on his new diocese.

Published by: pam j
rome city, IN 11/15/2009 11:23 PM EST

Praying for the new Bishop and that he has a strong devotion to Our Lady of America, will promote this church approved devotion, through helping to fulfill Our Lady's requests (that Her statue be placed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and America return to purity). Special prayers for Bishop Rhoades to recognize Sylvan Springs in his new diocese(where Our Lady of America first appeared in 1956). May he acknowledge the miraculous events and hear private testimonials of countless healings, physical and spiritual, that continue to occur in Rome City through the intercession of Our Lady of America God bless you Bishop Rhoades. May Our Lady of America intercede for you and for the future of our country.

Published by: Mary Jo
Hanover, PA 11/15/2009 05:38 PM EST

We in the diocese of Harrisburg are so sorry to lose Bishop Rhoades, but happy that he will succeed Bishop D'Arcy. You have been blessed with another good bishop -

Published by: Gabriel Austin
Los Alamos NM USA 11/15/2009 02:26 PM EST

I think you mean succeed rather than replace.

Published by: Matthias '09
South Bend, IN 11/15/2009 12:59 PM EST

Amen.

Published by: John
Granger, IN 11/15/2009 10:26 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

Let's pray that Bishop Rhoades will have the courage to pick up where Bishop D'Arcy left off and help Notre Dame to become a true Catholic University again.

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