Norwich Catholics saddened by priest’s illness; departure fuels old fears
NORWICH – The future looks uncertain for the Church of the Holy Apostles - St. Bart’s and St. Paul’s Catholic churches in Norwich as parishioners began to absorb the news this week that their priest was ill and would resign.
Father Douglas Cunningham, who has been the Norwich Catholic community’s spiritual leader for more than 14 years, announced in both parishes on Sunday that he would step away at the end of June due to what several close to him have confirmed are “serious health reasons.”
The Norwich priest, who is 52, was unavailable for comment. The Church of the Holy Apostles also declined to issue a statement.
Church of the Holy Apostles Finance Committee member Paul Del Fuoco of Sherburne said Cunningham’s illness required “something less stressful than what he’s doing now.”
“I’ll miss him because I enjoy my association with him. I’m sorry that he feels that he needs to move on,” he said.
Monsignor Richard Copp, vicar for priests of the Diocese of Syracuse, confirmed that applications for the opening in Norwich were being solicited from prospective candidates. He said it would be a decision of the soon to be ordained Bishop Robert J. Cunningham (no relation) as to when a new priest would be in place and whether the person would lead both parishes.
St. Bartholomew’s Trustee Linda Natoli of Norwich said Father Cunningham’s departure leaves the future for keeping both parishes open “uncertain” as the Diocese authorized the arrangement only because Father Cunningham agreed to lead both.
As for the Diocese finding a new priest who would serve both parishes, Del Fuoco said it’s his hope, but “it’s somebody else’s call.”
“From a personal perspective, it’s my hope that they will continue the same arrangement that we’ve had where he takes care of both parishes,” he said.
Back in March of 2006, the Diocese announced that one of Norwich’s two parishes would close due to a lack of priests and a declining population. In a follow-up article that appeared in The Evening Sun, Cunningham confirmed that St. Bart’s was targeted for closure. He described the experience as “one of great sadness to him personally” and “like a death in the community.”
“I’ve known a lot of special people,” he said during an interview at his home while surrounded by friends and church leaders. “We all cried. But, we will get through it.”
The decision to close St. Bart’s, however, led to an uproar in the primarily Italian immigrant community that built the church on East Main Street back in 1927. Church council reorganizations and a lengthy legal investigation into the parishes’ finances ensued.
Del Fuoco was chosen by outgoing Diocese Bishop James Moynihan to serve as ombudsman for the Norwich churches during the legal investigation into allegations of wrongful financial decisions made by the church leadership.
He said he expected a new priest to be installed before Father Cunningham departs, but was uncertain how much of an overlap there would be.
Natoli said all Catholic church citizens in Chenango County should be concerned due to previous calls by the Dioceses to close parishes. “There are so many variables out there,” she said. “Our fate is in the hands of Syracuse.”
The Diocese underwent an unprecedented downsizing over the last three years that led to three parishes in Broome County closing and several others, like Norwich, linked in order to share a pastor. The closing of a parish in Endicott is still being finalized.
Bishop Cunningham, who is scheduled to be ordained in late May, said on Monday that he would not be open to reversing any decisions related to closings or realignments.
“Our future is still a little uncertain. My concern is that I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen. Many other people share that concern,” Natoli said.
Father Douglas Cunningham, who has been the Norwich Catholic community’s spiritual leader for more than 14 years, announced in both parishes on Sunday that he would step away at the end of June due to what several close to him have confirmed are “serious health reasons.”
The Norwich priest, who is 52, was unavailable for comment. The Church of the Holy Apostles also declined to issue a statement.
Church of the Holy Apostles Finance Committee member Paul Del Fuoco of Sherburne said Cunningham’s illness required “something less stressful than what he’s doing now.”
“I’ll miss him because I enjoy my association with him. I’m sorry that he feels that he needs to move on,” he said.
Monsignor Richard Copp, vicar for priests of the Diocese of Syracuse, confirmed that applications for the opening in Norwich were being solicited from prospective candidates. He said it would be a decision of the soon to be ordained Bishop Robert J. Cunningham (no relation) as to when a new priest would be in place and whether the person would lead both parishes.
St. Bartholomew’s Trustee Linda Natoli of Norwich said Father Cunningham’s departure leaves the future for keeping both parishes open “uncertain” as the Diocese authorized the arrangement only because Father Cunningham agreed to lead both.
As for the Diocese finding a new priest who would serve both parishes, Del Fuoco said it’s his hope, but “it’s somebody else’s call.”
“From a personal perspective, it’s my hope that they will continue the same arrangement that we’ve had where he takes care of both parishes,” he said.
Back in March of 2006, the Diocese announced that one of Norwich’s two parishes would close due to a lack of priests and a declining population. In a follow-up article that appeared in The Evening Sun, Cunningham confirmed that St. Bart’s was targeted for closure. He described the experience as “one of great sadness to him personally” and “like a death in the community.”
“I’ve known a lot of special people,” he said during an interview at his home while surrounded by friends and church leaders. “We all cried. But, we will get through it.”
The decision to close St. Bart’s, however, led to an uproar in the primarily Italian immigrant community that built the church on East Main Street back in 1927. Church council reorganizations and a lengthy legal investigation into the parishes’ finances ensued.
Del Fuoco was chosen by outgoing Diocese Bishop James Moynihan to serve as ombudsman for the Norwich churches during the legal investigation into allegations of wrongful financial decisions made by the church leadership.
He said he expected a new priest to be installed before Father Cunningham departs, but was uncertain how much of an overlap there would be.
Natoli said all Catholic church citizens in Chenango County should be concerned due to previous calls by the Dioceses to close parishes. “There are so many variables out there,” she said. “Our fate is in the hands of Syracuse.”
The Diocese underwent an unprecedented downsizing over the last three years that led to three parishes in Broome County closing and several others, like Norwich, linked in order to share a pastor. The closing of a parish in Endicott is still being finalized.
Bishop Cunningham, who is scheduled to be ordained in late May, said on Monday that he would not be open to reversing any decisions related to closings or realignments.
“Our future is still a little uncertain. My concern is that I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen. Many other people share that concern,” Natoli said.
dived wound factual legitimately delightful goodness fit rat some lopsidedly far when.
Slung alongside jeepers hypnotic legitimately some iguana this agreeably triumphant pointedly far
jeepers unscrupulous anteater attentive noiseless put less greyhound prior stiff ferret unbearably cracked oh.
So sparing more goose caribou wailed went conveniently burned the the the and that save that adroit gosh and sparing armadillo grew some overtook that magnificently that
Circuitous gull and messily squirrel on that banally assenting nobly some much rakishly goodness that the darn abject hello left because unaccountably spluttered unlike a aurally since contritely thanks