The end of one calendar year and the beginning of another is the perfect occasion to reflect on how well people have used the time and gifts God has given them—especially how well people have helped the poor, Pope Francis said.
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Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
November, 2014
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (the “Charter”) requires, the Diocese of Bridgeport is re-promulgating its list of credibly accused clergy.
This list is published both ensure the ongoing protection of our children, youth and vulnerable adults and to assist in the healing of victims of clergy sexual abuse. In the interest of full transparency, we have included in this list both living and deceased clerics who were credibly accused of abuse or where the death of the cleric prevented further investigation of the alleged claims.
Both in keeping with the Charter’s provisions and out of a spirit of justice, I have not included in this list the names of those clerics who were both accused of sexual abuse and the allegation was found not to be credible. I have also not included in this list any cleric whose investigation has been impeded by judicial procedures outside of our control.
The sexual abuse of minors has created a great wound in the Church that must be healed through the Church’s credible and sustained efforts to ensure that all children, youth and vulnerable adults entrusted to its care are always kept safe and given the opportunity to grow in faith and love. To those victims who seek healing from the pain they have suffered, I offer my most sincere apology. I pray that with the Lord’s grace, you will feel the healing power of God and find peace and consolation in His Love. I also hope that the publication of this list will in some way help you and all the members of our Diocesan Church to find peace and assurance that we can move forward with confidence.
As the shepherd of the Diocese of Bridgeport, I take my responsibility to protect children very seriously and will continue to do everything that I can to implement our diocesan policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for the most vulnerable in our midst.
Please be assured of my prayers as we continue down the road of recovery and healing with the strength of God’s love.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano Bishop of Bridgeport
For several centuries, monks spent countless hours diligently making copy after copy of the Bible by hand in beautiful script and adding colorful illustrations of some passage or parable along with highly ornate, illuminated lettering.
BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano has reconstituted the Review Board of the Diocese of Bridgeport with the announcement of new board members and the reappointment of long-time members.
The Review Board was formed in 2002 by Bishop William E. Lori to oversee the implementation of the diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy and to function as a consultative body to the bishop. Review Boards are required in all U.S. dioceses as a direct result of The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Charter), established by the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in June 2002 and revised in June, 2011. It is a comprehensive set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors, and it includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability and the prevention of future acts of abuse. Read More
DANBURY—Knights of Columbus McGivney Council #29 held its fourth annual Regional Catholic Geography Bee on March 15 at St. Joseph School in Danbury.
Thirteen fifth through eighth-graders from five parochial schools in the northern portion of the Diocese of Bridgeport participated.
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200 first graders at St. Rose of Lima in Newtown, Connecticut received their very first bible in special small prayer sessions attended by parents and led by Pam Arsenault, the Director of Religious Education.
DANBURY—The Knights of Columbus McGivney Council #29 in Danbury held its third annual Catholic Geography Bee March 9 at St. Joseph School in Danbury.
Fifteen fourth through eighth graders from six parochial schools in the northern portion of the Diocese of Bridgeport answered questions about world, the U.S., and Connecticut geography, including Catholic content.
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DANBURY—Six schools from the greater Danbury area sent contestants to the Knights of Columbus Catholic Geography Bee, held March 3 at St. Joseph School in Danbury.
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The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano was installed as Fifth Bishop of Bridgeport on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull.
On February 22, 2014, he formally convoked the 4th Synod of the Diocese of Bridgeport, the first in 32 years, as an opportunity for reform and renewal by empowering the young Church, building up communities of faith, fostering evangelical outreach, and promoting works of charity and justice. More than 8,000 faithful turned out to celebrate that vision at the Synod Closing Mass Celebration at Webster Bank Arena on September 19, 2015.
Under his leadership the diocese has launched the Diocesan Leadership Institute, ongoing Strategic and Pastoral Planning, three major Foundations to support works of charity, faith, and education, an innovative social media outreach program, and other initiatives to renew the spiritual, liturgical and pastoral life of the diocese.
Born and raised in the Gravesend section Brooklyn, he was admitted to Yale University in 1977, and transferred to Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, where he graduated summa cum laude. After briefly working in the publishing industry, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1987, in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Queens.
A noted catechist, Bishop Caggiano was invited by Pope Benedict XVI to deliver World Youth Day talks in Sydney in 2008, Madrid in 2011, and by Pope Francis to serve as a catechist at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, 2013. In 2016, he led a delegation of almost 300 young people to World Youth Day in Krakow, where he served as a catechist. More recently he delivered a major talk at World Youth Day REUNITE held in Washington, D.C.
He presently serves on four committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis; Subcommittee on the Catechism; Orthodox Union Catholic Dialogue; Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.
On July 28, 2019, he was one of five American bishops elected by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to represent the United States at the XV Ordinary General Assembly: Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment held in October at the Vatican.
In the five years since U.S. Catholic bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People at their landmark June 2002 meeting in Dallas, TX, dioceses across the country have made significant strides to instill practices that will ensure the safety of people of all ages, anywhere in the Church.
The positive changes that followed the Charter were of great significance for Diocese of Bridgeport, not only because of its own abuse crisis, but because Bishop William Lori played an important role in drafting the Charter, which has guided the Church’s response to the crisis across the U.S.
Erin Neil, M.S.W., is the founding director of the Office of Safe Environments for the Diocese of Bridgeport, which opened in 2003. When the 29- year old social worker stepped into the new position during the middle of the abuse crisis, one could easily have wondered how she would fare. But four years later, Neil has overseen a program that has gained national recognition and passed three independent audits.
On the fifth anniversary of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Fairfield County Catholic sat down with Neil to reflect on the challenges and successes.
