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August 31, 2020
Rev. Msgr. Brian Mee and Rev. Msgr. Mark Pautler were given the honorific title of Monsignor by Pope Francis, an honor given to priests with distinguished histories of service. Read more at link.

July, 29, 2020
It comes as no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the parishes and Catholic institutions of our diocese. Immaculate Heart Retreat Center has been forced to cancel all its programs and offerings at least through the end of this calendar year. Continued at link

July 28, 2020
Statement issued by Fr. Darrin Connall, VG to the staff and clergy of the diocese regarding the liturgical composer David Hass. Continued at link

July 5, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Faith,
Less than three weeks ago, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, I issued a pastoral letter on the Eucharist. In that letter I stated, “Brothers and sisters, there is no room for division among us; it is our prayer, it is God’s will that we be ‘one body, one spirit in Christ.’” Now this short while later, we find our Catholic community roiled over a video made by Dr. Rob McCann, the CEO of Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington. While the subject of the video – racism – is certainly appropriate in the aftermath of the horrific and unjustified death of George Floyd, Dr. McCann’s blunt presentation was interpreted by many as levying false accusations against “whites” and the Catholic Church. This was only one of several issues that his video raised. Many faithful Catholics, whose lives evidence a daily commitment to compassion and justice, expressed their disappointment and frustration with Dr. McCann’s message.
I met with Dr. McCann earlier in the week to address my concerns over a number of statements he made in his presentation. Our conversation was candid and frank – and hopefully productive. Dr. McCann has now posted a letter that I encourage everyone to read. It provides some retractions and clarifications. While his letter answers some of my concerns, others remain. Read more by clicking on the link

June 22, 2020 In the process of working for justice, to right historical wrongs, the stories we tell ourselves about the past often have to be examined. At this moment, many are calling for the removal of statues of certain historical figures, which can certainly be debated. At the same time, some individuals have taken it upon themselves, acting in violent mobs, to tear down statues based on a dangerously narrow interpretation of history. As a native of California, the destruction of a statue of St. Junipero Serra deeply troubles me.

The Church, by no means, desires injustice to go unanswered, but two wrongs do not make a right. If we cannot acknowledge the good of a saint such as Junipero Serra, we risk preferring ideology to the truth. We should acknowledge St. Junipero’s efforts to protect the natives at the missions from harm, his efforts to offer them what he treasured most in the world, a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. The work of evangelization—carried out by flawed human beings—is to see all united in Christ where there is no Greek or Jew, there is no division, and all are seen and treated as the unique and beloved children of God the Father. St. Junipero Serra is a great example of that legacy, flawed like all of us, but striving with heroic virtue toward a vision of reconciliation and faith.

Tearing down statues of St. Junipero represents a perilous trend of demonizing the good works of others in the name of ideology. Such destruction reveals a dangerous capacity in the human heart for hatred of the other.  It risks unleashing the worst of humanity. Christians and all people of goodwill ought to look for ways to build, not destroy.  St. Junipero, pray for us that we may continue to build a civilization of peace and justice.

June 20, 2020 A recent news article published in the Spokesman-Review highlighted the fact that a suspended priest of the Diocese of Spokane, Theodore Bradley, continues to present himself as a priest in good standing – using the title “Father” and wearing clerical garb.  It has been clearly communicated to the 94 year-old Bradley that he is to refrain from presenting himself as a priest. Bishop William Skylstad initially removed Theodore Bradley from priestly ministry in 1994 after an accusation of sexual misconduct by a teenage girl which was investigated and deemed credible. Using the 2002 newly created provisions of the US Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Bishop Skylstad permanently removed Bradley from ministry that same year.  This penalty means that Bradley is not to present himself as a priest, he cannot publicly celebrate the sacraments, nor may he wear priestly garb.  The 2002 penalty included the order that Bradley live out the remainder of his life in private prayer and penance.  Theodore Bradley was once again reminded of these severe restrictions in a 2011 letter written by Bishop Blase Cupich. After my installation as Bishop of Spokane I took the opportunity to remind Bradley of these restrictions as well. 

Though the beloved diocesan girls’ school closed its doors for the last time in 1979, Marycliff’s alumnae express a fierce loyalty to the mission and ideals of their school.

THE ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SEASONS are a time of traditions: familial, cultural, those in the Church.

LOS TIEMPOS DE ADVIENTO y Navidad son una época de tradiciones familiares, culturales, y de la Iglesia. Si bien lo que hacemos año tras año es importante, las tradiciones en sí mismas no son lo que estamos celebrando. Todas podrían terminar y tanto Navidad como Adviento aún tendrían sentido. Si decoramos un árbol o no, si cantamos villancicos o no, podemos decir con alegría y esperanza que Cristo nació en Belén. Al crecer en San Francisco, la tradición más importante de mi familia fue el tiempo que pasamos con la familia. Después de la Misa el día de Navidad, mis padres y los siete niños íbamos a la casa de mis tíos y tías, con sus seis hijos, para la cena. Esas grandes cenas familiares fueron una parte importante de cómo pienso acerca de la Navidad.

A NEW ENDOWMENT has recently been created from an estate gift left to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes by Ms. Katherine O’Sullivan. Ms. O’Sullivan passed away in June 2018. She was a parishioner at the Cathedral in the 1970s and came to admire Father Paul Vevik, who was assigned to the Cathedral at that time. Father Vevik’s pastoral care many years ago inspired Ms. O’Sullivan to remember the Cathedral in her estate planning. 

HOW DOES A MOTHER’S HEART find peace after losing a baby before birth? A father’s heart also mourns. What does pregnancy loss do to marriage? And where is the Church in all this?