WATERVLIET, N.Y. (NEWS10) — On Easter Sunday, Bishop Mark O’Connell celebrated Mass at the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Watervliet. NEWS10’s Amber Fisher was there and spoke with him about his first Easter in the Capital Region, as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany faces challenging times.
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On a day centered on joy and new beginnings, Bishop Mark O’Connell marked his first Easter in the Capital Region, signaling a new era for the church. “It’s the hope in the darkness, because I know there’s darkness. And that’s one of the key symbols of Easter,” said Bishop Mark O’Connell.
“I’ve been a Bishop for ten years, but not in this area, in sorry, Red Sox area, so. But here I am, very, very happy to be the Bishop of Albany,” continued Bishop O’Connell.
His entrance as Bishop comes alongside various issues facing the Diocese, including a 148-million-dollar settlement with survivors of abuse. Bishop O’Connell addressed this, saying, “We reached a really important settlement the day before Palm Sunday weekend. And I’m very proud of reaching that. And I’m proud of the Catholics in this area that are behind me,”
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Recent years have also brought major changes—including church closures across the Diocese. Bishop O’Connell said that no closures are happening right now. He continued, “I would never close a church without talking to the people, so. And understanding who they are and what’s going on there.”…