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Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mass for Pope Francis planned at Detroit's Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Monday morning was quiet inside Detroit's Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the mother church for the Archdiocese of Detroit. As light from the stained-glass windows streamed in, a single candle burned at the altar, further illuminating a framed photo of Pope Francis. The doors to the massive cathedral on Woodward Avenue were open to the Catholic faithful on April 21, as they mourned the pope, who was 88 when he died earlier that day at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. "His health has been declining over the course of the past few months and so while it was surprising, I guess it was not shocking" that the pope died on Easter Monday, said the Rev. Mario Amore, director of evangelization and missionary discipleship for the Archdiocese of Detroit. "I think more of the shock came in the fact that we saw him yesterday. He gave that blessing to the people of God." After being hospitalized for weeks earlier in the year with double pneumonia, Pope Francis appeared to have rallied. He spent Easter Sunday at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, and met with Vice President JD Vance. "As I've been reflecting upon it, it is a reminder to us of what we hear in the scriptures: We don't know the day nor the hour when the Lord will call us home," Amore said. "So it's just an opportunity for us to reflect upon that state of readiness that all of us need to be in. "There is always a sense of sadness at this moment. I saw people coming into the cathedral this morning with tears in their eyes. Just like when anyone who dies that we love, because we're human, those emotions of sadness are always a part of it. But as people of faith, our hope is in the Lord. There is no better time to die than on this Easter Monday, when we're reminded that the Lord conquers sin and death." Amore, who also serves as a priest for St. Aloysius, Old St. Mary's, and the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, said Pope Francis had a unique way of communicating with the faithful. "As people are speaking of Pope Francis, they compare him, especially, to Pope John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI, his immediate predecessors. There's a tendency to put them in camps and suggest that they taught different things. That's not the case. Pope Francis would be the first to say that he had a special way of communicating the teachings of the church, a special way of being and showing the heart and the mercy of Christ. "He highlighted that in his own way — not to be any different from his predecessors — but just as all of us have a certain way that we're called to live out our life of discipleship and our own witness to Jesus." A Mass was set for 7 p.m. April 21 at the cathedral, 9844 Woodward Ave., which will be led by Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger. More: What did Pope Francis mean to you? Send a letter to the editor | Letters More: Michigan Catholics mourn death of Pope Francis, recall his 'kindness' Over the next few weeks, Catholic cardinals from around the world will be called to the Vatican in Rome to participate in the conclave to choose a new pope. In 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II, Detroit's retired Cardinal Adam Maida took part in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. Later the same year, Maida submitted his request to resign. However, Vatican officials asked Maida to remain in Detroit and didn't accept his resignation from active ministry until January 2009. Amore said Maida recently celebrated his 95th birthday and will not be part of the conclave. Only cardinals who are 80 or younger are eligible to vote in the election of a new pope. Once details from the Vatican are released about its official plans for a period of mourning for Pope Francis, Amore said it's likely that the cathedral will begin a nine-day period of prayer, called a novena. "We should be praying for him during this time, for the Lord's mercy upon him — just like all of us need at the hour and the time of our death," Amore said. "I'd like to encourage people to be praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis." Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@ Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament plans Mass for Pope Francis
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘It was gorgeous': Archbishop Weisenburger leads his first Good Friday liturgy in Detroit
A heavy silence fell over the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Friday as Archbishop Edward Weisenburger and his ministers lay facedown before the bare altar — a gesture of humility and mourning during the solemn Good Friday liturgy. More than 100 parishioners bowed in stillness, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Installed just a month earlier, Weisenburger led his first Good Friday service as Detroit's new Catholic archbishop on April 18 at the historic Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Woodward Avenue, a liturgy filled with reverence and reflection. Father JJ Mech, rector of the cathedral, praised Weisenburger's leadership, calling him "an amazing speaker" who brings a new sense of hope. "He doesn't take anything lightly… he really puts himself into these ceremonies," Mech said. "With this being the holiest week of the year, and his first (in Detroit), all eyes are on him as our new shepherd." In his homily, Weisenburger reflected on the significance of Calvary, the hill outside Jerusalem where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, and a personal pilgrimage he made to the site. "To visit Calvary today is to encounter the place where history's greatest sacrifice was offered, where the Lamb of God was slaughtered, where the Prince of Peace stretched out his arms for the salvation of the world," Weisenburger told the crowd. "Today, in this beautiful cathedral church, we strive to do what pilgrims have done in Jerusalem for generations — we seek to connect with the mystery of the passion." The archbishop also described how standing before the site of the crucifixion evokes a profound realization. "As you approach that sacred spot, you're struck by something unexpected. You realize there's really only one way to touch Calvary — you have to go down on your knees," he said. "But then you discover, too, that there is only one way to move on, and that is by rising." The Good Friday liturgy, one of the most solemn observances in the Catholic calendar, includes scripture readings, the chanting of the passion narrative, the veneration of the cross and communion. More: New Detroit archbishop becomes head of archdiocese: I see 'Christ in you' For some attendees, the service stirred deep spiritual emotions. On her way out of the cathedral, Rosemary Shamoon, 65, of Birmingham, said she felt as if she had been transported to the Holy Land. 'I've never experienced this before,' she told the Free Press. 'You're just immersed in it. It gives you goosebumps.' Rosemary attended the service with her husband, Sam Shamoon, 64. The couple have visited the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament several times over the years, but never for Good Friday. 'I want to do it every year,' Rosemary said. "I've never heard the gospel prayed like that before in my life," Sam added. "It was gorgeous." Ronita Phillips, 50, of Southfield, said being around others who share her faith brings her joy and peace — feelings she carried with her as she left the Good Friday service. 'I always feel welcome here,' Phillips said. 'Because I serve God, I love to be in the atmosphere of other people that serve Him as well.' Anyone looking for Catholic Mass times or livestreamed services in the Archdiocese of Detroit can go to The website, run by the archdiocese, lists schedules and locations across the region. Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@ Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Archbishop Weisenburger leads his first Good Friday liturgy in Detroit
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope names new archbishop of Detroit: Arizona bishop to replace Allen Vigneron
Pope Francis appointed Wednesday morning a new leader of the Catholic Church in metro Detroit, naming Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Tucson, Arizona, as the next archbishop of Detroit, replacing Allen Vigneron. For 16 years, Vigneron has been the archbishop of Detroit, named by Pope Benedict XVI in January 2009 to lead Catholics in the six counties that make up the Archdiocese of Detroit: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, Monroe and St. Clair. The appointment brings a new faith leader for the largest religious group in the region, a 64-year-old Oklahoma native who will shepherd 900,000 Catholics during a time of challenges facing churches and political tensions roiling America. The Detroit archdiocese has more than twice as many Catholics as the 400,000 Catholics in the Tucson diocese that Weisenburger led. A Spanish speaker who since 2017 led a diocese on the border with Mexico, Weisenburger has been outspoken in support of immigrants, at one point suggesting in the first term of President Donald Trump that Catholics who separate immigrant families could be penalized under church canon law. After the 1995 Oklahoma bombing of a federal building by anti-government extremists that killed 167 people in the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, he served as an onsite chaplain for rescue workers. "The Archdiocese of Detroit is a Church steeped in rich history, vibrant ministries, and known for a committed clergy with a great passion for evangelization," Weisenburger said in a statement issued through the Archdiocese of Detroit. "I am humbled to be called to serve such a noble Church. Despite the challenge of leaving my happy home in the Diocese of Tucson, I promise the good people of the Archdiocese of Detroit my all." Weisenburger will be installed March 18 in a ceremony at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. Until then, Vigneron will serve as apostolic administrator for the Detroit archdiocese. On Oct. 21, 2023, when he turned 75, Vigneron submitted his resignation to the pope as required under church law. The pope has discretion when to name a new archbishop after the leader turns 75. Vigneron was installed as archbishop on Jan. 28, 2009, when the Archdiocese of Detroit had 1.43 million Catholics and 281 parishes. There are now 907,000 Catholics and 213 parishes, a decrease that has been seen in organized religion across the region and the U.S. as church membership declines. During his tenure, Vigneron has balanced social conservatism with supporting immigrants, encouraging interfaith dialogue with Jews and Muslims, and working to help rebuild the city of Detroit. Vigneron faced attacks from far right Catholics at places such as the now-defunct Church Militant in Ferndale and also some liberal Catholics upset over his views on LGBTQ+ issues. As with other dioceses, Vigneron dealt with the problem of some abusive priests, implementing procedures to help ensure accountability. 'On behalf of all the people of God in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and in my own name, I extend to Archbishop Weisenburger a heartfelt welcome to his new home,' Vigneron said in a statement. 'I offer the assurance of our prayerful support as he comes here to take up the mission being given to him by our Holy Father Pope Francis.' Weisenburger thanked Vigneron for his warm welcome to Detroit. 'I am exceptionally grateful to Archbishop Vigneron for the warmth, kindness, and encouragement he expressed to me immediately upon learning of my assignment," he said. "His generous assurance of a warm welcome and his desire to be of fraternal help to me is a true blessing. It is my hope that his retirement will be marked by length of years, robust health, and many rich blessings.' Weisenburger was born in Alton, Illinois in 1960, the son of a military officer and homemaker, according to a bio provided by the Archdiocese of Detroit. He grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma, but also lived in Kansas and Texas because of his father's military transfers. Weisenburger graduated with honors in 1983 from Conception Seminary College in Missouri. He was then assigned to the American College Seminary at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium from 1983 to 1987, earning the Pontifical S.T.B. in Theology, along with an M.A. in Religious Studies and a Masters in Moral and Religious Sciences, He was ordained in Oklahoma City as a priest in 1987 and served as parochial vicar of St. Mary Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma from 1987 to 1990. He then attended the University of St. Paul in Ottawa, Canada, earning the pontifical J.C.L. degree in canon law in 1992. Back in Oklahoma, he was appointed vice-chancellor and adjutant judicial vicar. He also worked on weekends in parish and prison ministries, working on site at the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City after it was bombed in 1995. He served in Oklahoma for years on the Council of Priests and the Archdiocesan College of Consulters, Seminarian Board, and became vicar general of the Oklahoma City Archdiocese in 1996. In 2009, he was appointed a Prelate of Honor to Pope Benedict, given the title reverend monsignor. He also served as the pastor of two parishes in Oklahoma before becoming bishop of Salina, Kansas in 2012 and then bishop in Tucson, Arizona in 2017. In Arizona, Weisenburger had to deal with abuse allegations amid a national reckoning of sexual abuse in the church, firing 10 employees in the archdiocese in 2018 after sexual misconduct allegations. He said the sexual revolution of the 1960s played a role in the abuse, comments which drew criticism from some, the Arizona Daily Star reported. More: Michigan Catholic bishops urge support for 'undocumented' immigrant families In 2018, he drew national attention for saying some Catholics who separate immigrant families could face "canonical penalties" as outrage grew over the Trump administration's policy of separating some parents from their children after they crossed the border, Religion News Service reported. Some speculated those penalties could include denial of Communion, a key Catholic rite, or even excommunication, but he later clarified he was not necessarily saying they should be excommunicated. There could be "lesser options preceding excommunication, such as prayer and penitential practices," he wrote, reported Catholic News Agency. Weisenburger serves on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on its Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People and has previously served on the Committee for Migration and the Subcommittee of the Catholic Communication Campaign. After Weisenburger's installation in March, Vigneron will be given the title of Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit, a title he will share with Cardinal Adam J. Maida, who led the Archdiocese of Detroit from 1990 until 2009. 'I count myself blessed by God, far beyond what I deserve, to have served for these past sixteen years as the principal pastor of the archdiocese,' Vigneron said. 'It has been the joy of my life to lead this local Church in responding to the Lord's commission to share his Good News of salvation.' Ordained as a priest in 1975, Vigneron was an auxiliary bishop in Detroit from 1996 to 2003, Bishop of Oakland, California from 2003 to 2009, before being appointed to lead the Archdiocese of Detroit on Jan. 5, 2009. In 2016, he led 400 participants in a Synod to plan for the future of the Catholic Church in Detroit, resulting in his pastoral letter, Unleash the Gospel. In a pastoral note released last week, Vigneron noted the challenges the Archdiocese of Detroit faces, saying there has been a 35% decrease in registered parishioners since 2000 and a 68% decrease in infant baptisms. Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pope Francis names Edward Weisenburger to lead Archdiocese of Detroit
