Towards the end of this year’s legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill (SB5375) making all clergy mandatory reporters of abuse, with no exemptions for the privileged communication between priest and penitent during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This means that by Washington State Law, Catholic clergy are now Read more…
This year the Archdiocese of Seattle celebrates our 175th anniversary as a Diocese. We will have our final Eucharistic celebration in St. James Cathedral on the anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Nesqually (renamed Seattle in 1907), May 31, 1880. French missionaries, Fr. Francis Norbert Blanchet and Modeste Read more…
This entry is written enroute to Rome for the second session of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality. Preeminent on my mind are the good people of the Archdiocese of Seattle. I am so grateful to all our Archdiocesan team, priests, deacons, lay leaders and parishioners who are now well Read more…
People often ask: “How is it going in the Archdiocese of Seattle?” To which, I’m always more than happy to share some very positive news. Often, people respond with a bit of surprise to hear of our trends that seem to counter some national impressions. Five areas of growth come Read more…
In May of 2015, Pope Francis penned an Encyclical Letter about the necessity to care for creation, which he calls our common home. The Letter is entitled Laudato Si’ taken from a the canticle to creation by St. Francis of Assisi. Next week, on the Feast of St. Francis, October Read more…
Two years ago a conversation began between Executive Leadership of the three Catholic Healthcare providers who have a presence in the Archdiocese of Seattle; Providence, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, and Peace Health, along with their sponsoring religious communities about how we might join our resources with the Archdiocese of Seattle and Read more…
Yesterday this local Church of the Archdiocese of Seattle celebrated a unique and grace-filled moment as we ordained a new auxiliary bishop for service to the Archdiocese. Bishop Frank Schuster was warmly greeted and received a tremendous outpouring of prayer during the ordination celebration at St. James Cathedral on the Read more…
Last night the Archdiocese of Seattle gathered at St. James Cathedral to celebrate the Chrism Mass. What a beautiful celebration of faith and mission! You can read my homily below, or watch the video which is also included. Check back later for more photos (I hope!) Blessings upon each of Read more…