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CBS News
12 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Diocese of Greensburg announces the death of Bishop Emeritus Lawrence Brandt
The Diocese of Greensburg announced on Sunday morning that the fourth bishop in its history, Bishop Emeritus Lawrence E. Brandt, has died. He was 86 years old. Monsignor Brandt was named the fourth bishop in the history of the diocese on January 2, 2004, by Pope John Paul II. He was installed in the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral on March 4, 2004. "It was Bishop Brandt who asked me to study Canon Law, and with his support, asked me to assist him as an Episcopal Master of Ceremonies and then as Vicar General for our Diocese," said the current Diocese of Greensburg Bishop, Larry J. Kulick. "He was incredibly disciplined, but that only fostered his spirituality and his ability to leave the Diocese in good order, both spiritually and financially." Brandt is credited with leading the Diocese of Greensburg through a series of changes, including bolstering the finances, as well as addressing the declining number of Catholics. In 2005, he began a strategic plan for the diocese, and part of it was holding listening sessions that included 9,000 parishioners. It ultimately led to the closing of 16 parishes and the partnering of 14 parishes. Years later, in 2013, two more parishes were closed, and six more merged to become what is now known as the St. Francis of Assisi Parish. In doing so, he offered "Masses of Welcome and Remembrance" to all the affected parishes in an effort to welcome parishioners to new parishes and address the deep sense of loss they might have been feeling due to losing parishes they long identified with. Brandt retired from the diocese on July 13, 2015. The diocese said that funeral arrangements will be announced.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pope Francis makes first public appearance before leaving hospital
March 23 (UPI) -- Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for medical care last month. "Thank you to everyone," the pontiff said from the balcony of his room at the hospital, according to Vatican News, the press arm of the Holy See. He was described by the BBC as "breathless" and described by CNN as "frail" as he delivered his brief message to supporters. Francis then gave the crowd of about 3,000 people gathered outside a thumbs up before he was escorted out of the hospital to his usual white Fiat 500L. "When I saw him, I felt, to be honest, a little relieved," Larry Kulick, a bishop in Pennsylvania, told the BBC. "I felt just overjoyed to see him." On his way to the Vatican, Francis stopped at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas and handed him flowers to be placed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as thanks "for her care and protection." Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized on Feb. 14 with bronchitis that developed into bilateral pneumonia. Over the course of his five-week stay, he suffered several respiratory crises, including two life-threatening episodes. Despite the severity of his condition, Francis remained conscious and alert throughout his hospitalization. He continued performing papal duties from his hospital room, maintaining communication with Vatican officials and issuing statements during his recovery. Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, said at a Saturday press conference that Francis will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican to recover, but no longer has pneumonia. Health officials said that Francis' voice is recovering, he is in good spirits and had asked to be discharged. He has been advised to resume his work gradually. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, one of the pope's closest aides, said Friday that Francis will need ongoing rehabilitation therapy to strengthen his voice. The Vatican on Sunday released a text version of the Angelus, a weekly prayer ritual on Sundays in which the pope leads Catholic observers in a prayer before a delivering a short message from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square. "In this long period of my hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the Lord's patience, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick," Francis wrote Sunday. "This trusting patience, anchored in God's unfailing love, is indeed necessary in our lives, especially when facing the most difficult and painful situations." The pope ended his message by condemning Israel for resuming the bombing of Gaza and praising Armenia and Azerbaijan for agreeing to the final text of a peace agreement.
