Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie

The Diocese of Erie (Latin: Dioecesis Eriensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in western Pennsylvania in the United States. It is asuffragan diocese of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

"Diocese of Erie" and "Bishop of Erie" redirect here. For the Episcopal diocese and its bishop, see Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Diocese of Erie

Diocesis Eriensis
St. Peter Cathedral
Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Erie
Location
Country United States
Ecclesiastical provinceArchdiocese of Philadelphia
Coordinates42°07′27″N 80°05′13″W
Statistics
Area10,167 sq mi (26,330 km2)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		(as of 2021)
813,513
195,243 (24%)
Parishes96
Churches120
Information
DenominationCatholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
CathedralSt. Peter Cathedral
Patron saintSt. Patrick
Secular priests169
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopLawrence T. Persico
Metropolitan ArchbishopNelson J. Perez
Map
Location of the Diocese of Erie in Pennsylvania
Location of the Diocese of Erie in Pennsylvania
Website
eriercd.org
St Patrick's is the oldest Catholic parish in Erie, Pennsylvania

The Diocese of Erie was founded on July 29, 1853. Its mother church is St. Peter's Cathedral in Erie.

Statistics

The Diocese of Erie is geographically the largest diocese in Pennsylvania, covering 10,167 square miles (26,332.41 km2). It covers 13 counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania. About 220,000 Catholics (74,000 families) reside in the diocese. The diocese educates approximately 14,000 children and youth.[1]

History

1700 to 1853

Unlike the other British colonies in America, the Province of Pennsylvania did not ban Catholics from the colony or threaten priests with imprisonment. However, the colony did require any Catholics seeing public office to take an oath to Protestantism.

On November 26, 1784, a year after the end of the American Revolution, Pope Pius VI erected the Apostolic Prefecture of United States of America, including all of the new United States.[2]

On November 6, 1789, Pius VI converted the prefecture to the Diocese of Baltimore., covering all of the United States. [3]With the passage of the US Bill of Rights in 1791, Catholics received full freedom of worship.

In 1808, Pope Pius VII erected the Diocese of Philadelphia, covering all of Pennsylvania.[4]As the Catholic population grew in Pennsylvania in the 19th century, the Vatican erected the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1843 to cover the western part of the state.

1853 to 1868

On July 29, 1853, Bishop Michael O'Connor of the Diocese of Pittsburgh was appointed as the first bishop of the new Diocese of Erie by Pope Pius IX.[5] The dividing line of the new diocese ran east and west along the northern boundaries of Cambria, Indiana, Armstrong, Butler, and Lawrence Counties, giving thirteen northern counties to the Diocese of Erie.[6]

The pope named Father Joshua Young as the new bishop of Pittsburgh. However, Young did not want the job in Pittsburgh. In addition, a group of Pittsburgh Catholics petitioned the pope to bring back O'Connor.[7] Five months later, the Vatican changed course, returning O'Connor to Pittsburgh and making Young the second bishop of Erie.[8]

Due to the 1859 discovery of oil in Titusville and the ensuring oil rush, Young was forced to erect numerous churches to accommodate the new Catholic settlers along Oil Creek and the Allegheny River.[9] At the beginning of Young's tenure, the diocese contained 28 churches and 14 priests; by the time of his death, the number of churches and priests were both over 50.[9] He established several Catholic schools and orphanages, and a hospital.[9] He also introduced into the diocese the Sisters of St. Joseph from Buffalo, New York.[10] Young died in 1866.

1868 to 1920

In 1868, Monsignor Tobia Mullen of Pittsburgh was appointed the third bishop of Erie by Pope Pius IX.[11] He founded the weekly Lake Shore Visitor newspaper, an orphanage, and two hospitals.[12] His greatest accomplishment was the erection of St. Peter's Cathedral.[13] Originally dubbed as "Mullen's Folly", its cornerstone was laid in 1875 and it was later dedicated in 1893.[13]After Mullen suffered a stroke in 1897, Pope Leo XIII named Reverend John Fitzmaurice of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as coadjutor bishop to assist Mullen.[12][13]

After Mullen died in 1899, Fitzmaurice automatically succeeded him as the next bishop of Erie. During his 21-year-long tenure as bishop, Fitzmaurice established several parishes and dedicated St. Peter's Cathedral in Erie (1911).[14] The Sisters of St. Joseph added an annex to St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie and in 1901 a nursing school. Fitzmaurice died in 1920.

1920 to 1980

The next bishop of Erie was Auxiliary Bishop John Gannon, named by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. Gannon founded Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie in 1921 and participated in the establishment of Mercyhurst College in Erie[15] In 1933, he established Cathedral College, a two-year institution.[15] Religious education programs under the auspices of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine were organized in every part of the diocese, and he founded five regional high schools after age 80 alone.[16] Gannon laid the cornerstone for St. Joseph's Home for Children in 1923, and founded Spencer Hospital in Meadville, St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie, Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, St. Mary's Home in Erie; Harborcreek Training School for Boys in Erie, Gannondale for Girls in Erie, and the Erie Day Nursery.[15] He also erected twenty-eight parishes, forty- nine churches, seven rectories, and twelve convents.[15]

After 46 years of service as bishop of Erie, Gannon retired in 1966. To replace him, Pope Paul VI that same year named Auxiliary Bishop John Whealon from the Diocese of Cleveland. However, after only two years in Erie, Whealon became archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford.[17] The pope then appointed Auxiliary Bishop Alfred Watson as the next bishop of Erie. He was accused of being too slow to implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, and met considerable opposition from the diocesan clergy.[18] During his tenure, he ordained 88 priests, but was forced to close or merge several Catholic schools.[18]Pope John Paul II named Auxiliary Bishop Michael Murphy of the Diocese of Cleveland as a coadjutor bishop in Erie in 1978. Murphy soon visited every parish in the diocese and reorganized the diocesan administration to improve pastoral service to Catholics, delegating some of the bishop's authority and allowing more participation of religious and laity.[19]

1980 to present

When Watson retired in 1982, Murphy became the new bishop. He founded the Emmaus Program, an annual convocation of diocesan clergy in 1983. In 1984, he announced a three-year plan to raise $9 million to cover diocesan expenses, including educational and social needs and the renovation of St. Peter Cathedral; the appeal raised over $14 million in pledges.[20] In 1985, Murphy launched a spiritual growth process called RENEW, which attracted the participation of more than 20,000 people throughout the diocese and lasted until 1988.[20] He established St. Mark Catholic Center and the Diocesan Committee on Human Sexuality in 1987 and merged several parishes and closed one school in 1989.[21] Murphy retired in 1990.

John Paul II appointed Auxiliary Bishop Donald Trautman of the Diocese of Buffalo as bishop of the Diocese of Erie on June 2, 1990. As bishop, he improved the diocesan youth and vocational programs, renovated the interior of St. Peter Cathedral, and established a diocesan Deposit and Loan Fund and a retirement home for clergy named after Murphy. Trautman retired in 2011.

As of 2023, the current bishop of the Diocese of Erie is Lawrence T. Persico from the Diocese of Greensburg, named by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.[22]

Bishops of Erie
  1. Michael O'Connor, S.J. (1853–1854), appointed Bishop of Pittsburgh
  2. Joshua Maria Young (1854–1866)
  3. Tobias Mullen (1868–1899)
  4. John Edmund Fitzmaurice (1899–1920)
  5. John Mark Gannon (1920–1966), elevated to Archbishop (ad personam) in 1953
  6. John Francis Whealon (1966–1968), appointed Archbishop of Hartford
  7. Alfred Michael Watson (1969–1982)
  8. Michael Joseph Murphy (1982–1990)
  9. Donald Walter Trautman (1990–2012)
  10. Lawrence T. Persico (2012–present)

Auxiliary bishops
  • John Mark Gannon (1917–1920), appointed Bishop of Erie
  • Edward Peter McManaman (1948–1964)
  • Alfred Michael Watson (1965–1969), appointed Bishop of Erie

Other diocesan priests who became bishops

Vicariates

The Diocese of Erie is divided into three vicariates:

Parishes

The Diocese of Erie has 120 parishes, encompassing 151 churches.[1]Its historically significant parishes include:[24][25]

  • St. Francis Assisi – Clearfield (the oldest parish community in the diocese; the original church was dedicated by Bishop Francis Kenrick of Philadelphia in 1832)
  • St. Philip – Crossingville (original church dedicated by Kenrick, 1834)
  • St. Nicholas of Tolentino – Crates (original church dedicated by Kenrick, 1835)
  • St. Michael, the Archangel – Fryburg (original church dedicated by Kenrick, 1836)
  • St. Hippolyte – Frenchtown (original church dedicated by Bishop Kenrick, 1837)

Other historically-significant parishes:

  • St. Mary's – Erie (German origins, pioneer parish)
  • St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral – Erie (pioneer parish)
  • St. Peter Cathedral – Erie (significant edifice)
  • St. Stanislaus – Erie (Polish origins)
  • St. Mary – St. Marys (Bavarian German origins, over 150 years old)

Reports of sex abuse
Main article: Grand jury investigation of Catholic Church sexual abuse in Pennsylvania

In early 2016, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro convened a special grand jury to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy in six Pennsylvania dioceses, including the Diocese of Erie.[26] In April 2018, the diocese published a list of 34 priests and 17 laypeople who had been "credibly accused" of sexually abusing children.[27][28] By July 2018, the list had grown to include 64 names.[29]

In August 2018, the grand jury report revealed that least 41 clergy in Diocese of Erie were accused of sexually abusing children.[30][31] Bishop Persico, who received praise in the report, acknowledged there had been a cover-up in the diocese.[32] Bishops Trautman and Murphy were criticized in the report for allowing Reverend Chester Gawronski to remain in the diocese despite numerous allegations of sexual abuse.[32][33] Murphy and Trautman reassigned Gawronski multiple times between 1987 and 2002 and Trautman renewed Gawronski's five-year term as a chaplain in St Mary's Home in Erie in 2001.[32]In his own defense, Trautman noted that he had set guidelines in 1993 on handling sexual abuse and established the Diocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Youth in 2003.[34]

Bishop Mark Bartchak of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, a former priest in the Diocese of Erie, was also criticized in the grand jury report for his handling of 2005 investigation against former Erie priest William Presley.[35] The Vatican had tasked Bartchak with investigating sexual abuse claims against Presley, who served in the diocese between 1963 and 1986. Bartchak continuously re-interviewed a male victim who previously disclosed his alleged abuse to the diocese in 1982, 1987 and 2002.[35] On August 25, 2005, Bartchak sent a secret memo to Trautman.[35] Parts of the memo read

"I was not surprised to learn from other witnesses from the Elk County area, that there are likely to be other victims" and that "it is likely that there may be others who were also of the age for the offenses to be considered delicts, but to what end is it necessary to follow every lead?"[35]

Bartchak stated in another memo, following a meeting with Trautman on August 29, 2005:

"Bishop Trautman decided that in order to preclude further scandal, these additional witnesses should not be contacted, especially given the fact that it is not likely that they will lead to information concerning delicts involving minors under 16 years of age."[35]

On October 17, 2018, Shapiro accepted a guilty plea from former diocesan priest David Lee Poulson on charges of corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children. Poulson had been accused of repeatedly sexually abusing one boy and attempting to sexually abuse another.[36] On January 11, 2019, Poulson received a 2 1/2 to 14 year prison sentence.[37] [38]On March 15, 2019, Persico announced that Pope Francis had issued an order defrocking Poulson.[39][40][41]

On July 18, 2020, it was revealed that the diocese was undergoing a potential new sex abuse lawsuit. It alleged that diocese's compensation fund had yet to pay victims of abuse allegedly committed at St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its long-closed school.[42] On July 24, 2020, a woman alleging abuse by Reverend Michael G. Barletta, who was named in the grand jury report, sued the diocese. She accused the diocese of shielding Barletta from potential prosecution after Barletta molested her when she was in grade school in the 1970s.[43] By this point in time, at least three other sex abuse lawsuits were filed against the diocese in between July 15, 2020, as well.[43] On August 16, 2020, it was revealed that a total of 21 lawsuits were filed against the diocese since the 2018 grand jury report was released.[44]

Religious institutes
St. Stanislaus is a Polish Catholic parish in Erie, Pennsylvania

Men

Women

Charities
  • Better Homes for Erie
  • Christ the King Manor
  • Counseling & Adoption Services
  • Foreign Missions
  • Harborcreek Youth Services
  • Saint John XXIII Home
  • Donate to Mission of Friendship
  • Parish Care and Concern
  • Prince of Peace Center
  • Refugee Ministry
  • St. Martin Center.[45]

Schooling

The diocese has 33 elementary schools and two middle schools.[46]The following high schools are operated by the diocese:

The diocese also founded Gannon University in Erie.

Cemeteries

All of these cemeteries are located in Erie:

  • Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum
  • Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum
  • Mary, Queen of Peace Cemetery and Mausoleum
  • Trinity Cemetery

See also

References
  1. "Facts about the Erie Diocese." Faith Magazine CSA 2010: 3.
  2. Frederick Lewis Weis (1978). The Colonial Clergy of the Middle Colonies: New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, 1628-1776. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-8063-0799-2. Terry Carden (2005). Coming of Age In Scranton: Memories of a Puer Aeternus. Lincoln NE: iUniverse. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-595-80765-9.
  3. "Catholic Encyclopeida: Archdiocese of New York". New Advent. Archived from the original on 2020-01-21. Retrieved 2006-01-21.
  4. "A Brief History of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia". Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
  5. "Bishop Michael O'Connor, S.J." Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  6. Clarke, Richard Henry (1888). Lives of the Deceased Bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States. Vol. III. New York: P. O'Shea Publisher.
  7. "Pittsburgh". Catholic Encyclopedia.
  8. "Pittsburgh". Catholic Encyclopedia.
  9. "Erie". Catholic Encyclopedia.
  10. "About the Diocese: Early History (1853–1900)". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04.
  11. "Bishop Tobias Mullen". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  12. "Erie". Catholic Encyclopedia.
  13. "1853-1900: Early History". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04.
  14. "About the Diocese: Continued Expansion (1900-1920)". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28.
  15. "1918-1966: Golden Era". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2007-05-18.
  16. "Archbishop John Mark Gannon, Ex-Head of Erie Diocese, Dies". The New York Times. 1968-09-06.
  17. "Archbishop John Francis Whealon". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  18. "About the Diocese (1969-1990): Bishop Alfred M. Watson and Bishop Murphy". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2009-07-06.
  19. "Bishop Michael J. Murphy". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2009-07-07.
  20. "History of the Diocese: 1969-1990". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2009-07-06.
  21. "History of the Diocese: 1969-1990". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2009-07-06.
  22. "Pennsylvania diocese thrilled with new bishop appointment". Catholic News Agency. July 31, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  23. "Map of the Diocese". Erie Roman Catholic Diocese. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  24. Establishment dates for parishes will vary among sources: some use the arrival date of the first Catholic settlers; others use the date of the congregation's formation, the date of church building dedications, or the arrival date of the first resident priest.
  25. St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church Sesquicentennial Jubilee Commemorative Book, 1978
  26. Couloumbis, Angela (June 17, 2018). "Pa. report to document child sexual abuse, cover-ups in six Catholic dioceses". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  27. Bonner, Teresa (April 6, 2018). "Diocese publishes list of priests, lay people accused of abuse". PennLive.com. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  28. DeJesus, Ivey (April 6, 2018). "Catholic bishop explains why he released names of predatory priests; confident none remain in ministry". PennLive.com. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  29. "Erie Diocese Releases Names Of Accused Priests, Educators While Grand Jury Report Remains On Hold". KDKA-TV. July 19, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  30. Couloumbis, Angela; Navratil, Liz (July 27, 2018). "Pa. Supreme Court: Release redacted report that names more than 300 'predator priests'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  31. Palattella, Ed. "Catholic Diocese of Erie and grand jury report: the latest". GoErie.com. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  32. Herald, MELISSA KLARIC Sharon. "'Put victims first': Erie bishop, praised by AG, denounces cover-ups in church". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  33. "Priest with local ties accused of sex abuse | News, Sports, Jobs - Observer Today". Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  34. "Former Bishop of Erie Donald Trautman releases statement". WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. 2018-08-14. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  35. Sutor, Dave. "Grand jury report links Altoona-Johnstown bishop to abuse case and cover-up in Erie". Star Beacon. CNHI News Service. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  36. "Former Erie Diocese Priest David Poulson Pleads Guilty in Sexual Abuse Case". www.erienewsnow.com. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  37. "Priest who abused boys, made 1 confess, sentenced to prison". New Castle News. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  38. "Priest who abused boys, made 1 confess, sentenced to prison". WPXI. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  39. Palattella, Ed. "Vatican defrocks Poulson as priest in Erie diocese". GoErie.com. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  40. "BREAKING: Pope defrocks Erie priest accused of sexually abusing children". WTAJ - www.wearecentralpa.com. 2019-03-15. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  41. Prior, Ryan. "Pope defrocks Pennsylvania priest accused of sexually abusing children". CNN. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  42. Palattella, Ed. "Erie diocese facing lawsuit over fund for abuse victims". GoErie.com. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  43. "Erie diocese sued over claims of abuse cover-ups - News - GoErie.com - Erie, PA". Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  44. CLOONAN, PATRICK. "Diocese, bishop sued over abuse allegations". The Indiana Gazette Online. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  45. "Giving". Erie Roman Catholic Diocese. Archived from the original on 2011-04-05.
  46. "Catholic Schools office". Erie Roman Catholic Diocese.
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