Bishop Rozanski Named to Lead Springfield Diocese

More changes emanating from Rome!

Today Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, auxiliary bishop in Baltimore, was named by Pope Francis as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts.  Bishop Rozanski, 55, will replace Bishop Timothy McDonnell, who is retiring at the age of 76.  The announcement was made today in Washington DC by Archbishop Carlo Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The Diocese of Springfield has a strong Polish contingent who will certainly appreciate Bishop Rozanski, the first Polish-American selected to lead their diocese.

Since 2011, Bishop Rozanski has also served as the Roman Catholic Co-Chairman of the Polish National Catholic-Roman Catholic dialogue.

Among differences in the theology of the Polish National Catholic Church are its practice of confession (one confesses sins to God, then receives absolution and penance from a priest); acceptance of birth control (which is considered to be a matter between a husband and wife); and a married priesthood (PNCC priests are encouraged to be married; but if unmarried at the time of ordination, a man must wait two years before marrying).