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Funeral Details for Bishop McFadden

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The following information is from the Diocese of Harrisburg:

 

The following funeral services for Bishop Joseph P. McFadden have been established. All are open to the public. The services will begin on Sunday, May 5 at 7 p.m. when the Body will be received at St. Patrick Cathedral, 212 State Street, Harrisburg, PA.

Bishop McFadden will lie in state until Tuesday evening, May 7 when a Rite of Transfer of the Body will be held. The coffin will be closed during all services and viewings will end at the conclusion of the evening prayer services.

The funeral service for Bishop McFadden will be held at the Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6150 Allentown Blvd, Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday, May 8. Services that day will begin at 8 a.m. with a Rite of Gathering in the Presence of the Body. The Solemn Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in the Bishop’s Circle area.  The cemetery is located across from St. Catherine Laboure Parish, 4000 Derry Street, Swatara Township.

Monday, May 6 – St.  Patrick Cathedral, 212 State Street, Harrisburg, PA

8:00 a.m.         Rite of Gathering in the Presence of the Body

Viewing of the Body

12:00 p.m.       Mass

12:45 p.m.       Viewing of the Body

7:00 p.m.         Solemn Evening Prayer

 

Tuesday, May 7 – St.  Patrick Cathedral, 212 State Street, Harrisburg, PA

8:00 a.m.         Rite of Gathering in the Presence of the Body

Viewing of the Body

12:00 p.m.       Mass

12:45 p.m.       Viewing of the Body

4:00 p.m.         Rite of Transfer of the Body to Holy Name of Jesus Church

7:00 p.m.         Solemn Evening Prayer –  Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6150 Allentown Blvd, Harrisburg, PA 17112

 

Wednesday, May 8 – Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6150 Allentown Blvd, Harrisburg, PA 17112

8:00 a.m.          Rite of Gathering in the Presence of the Body

Viewing of the Body

10:00 a.m.       Closing of the Coffin

10:30 a.m.       Solemn Funeral Mass

Burial in Holy Cross cemetery

Heart Attack Blamed for Bishop’s Death

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The Diocese of Harrisburg confirms that it was a heart attack that took the life of Harrisburg Bishop Joseph McFadden last week. McFadden was attending a conference of the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia when he died suddenly Thursday morning at the age of 65.

Additional details about the final moments of Bishop mcFadden’s life were detailed over the weekend on the CatholicPhilly.com website. The article reveals that the Bishop, aware that his life was fading, asked for a prayer of absolution from Monsignor Joseph Garvin as they were speeding to the hospital. McFadden slumped over moments later and roadside efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Funeral services are planned over the next several days in Harrisburg. Two viewings and a mass are planned both Monday and Tuesday at St. Patrick Cathedral. On Wednesday, there will be a final viewing at the Holy Name of Jesus Church, followed by the closing of the casket at 10:00am and a funeral mass at 10:30am. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery on Wednesday.

All services are open to the public.

Bishop Joseph McFadden of Harrisburg Dies at 65

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A stunning announcement from the Harrisburg Diocese, which is reporting the death of Bishop Joseph McFadden. A release sent out this morning says McFadden died unexpectedly while attending a meeting of the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

“While staying at a rectory he awoke feeling ill and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:40 a.m. A cause of death has not yet been announced,” the release stated.

McFadden was the tenth Bishop of Harrisburg, appointed by then-Pope Benedict XVI in June of 2010. He was installed in August of that same year.  Governance of the Diocese now passes to a “College of Consultors” which has eight days to elect a new administrator who will run the diocese until a new Bishop is appointed by Pope Francis.

A Philadelphia native, McFadden graduated from Saint Joseph university and went into teaching. He was named the first President of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield in 1993. His rise continued as Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia and finally Bishop of Harrisburg.

 

PA Reactions to Pope’s Impending Resignation

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Elected at the age of 78 in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was the oldest pope to be chosen in nearly 300-years.  Today’s announcement from the 85-year-old pontiff will make him the first pope to resign in nearly 600-years. 

Harrisburg Bishop Joseph McFadden

Harrisburg Bishop Joseph McFadden

Diocese of Harrisburg Bishop Joseph McFadden says the news brings a mix of sadness and gratitude.  Like most people, Bishop McFadden was initially surprised when he heard the news this morning, but notes that it’s not out of character for Pope Benedict.  “His first and foremost love is for Jesus Christ and his Church.  So, if he feels that he’s not able to carry out the responsibilities as effectively as he feels that he would need to do, I think he feels that – out of love for the Church – that he should step down,”  Bishop McFadden tells reporters. 

Pope Benedict made the announcement at a meeting of Vatican Cardinals, telling them he lacked the strength to fulfill his duties. 

Governor Tom Corbett – a Roman Catholic himself – was shocked to hear the news this morning.  “I was listening on the radio coming over here, and some people are already pushing the Cardinal of New York [to be Pope Benedict’s successor],” Corbett said on Radio PA’s Ask the Governor program.  “Whether a North American Cardinal can ever become pope, who knows.” 

A conclave to elect a new pope will likely be called for next month.   

The announcement from the Vatican comes as the Lenten season is about to begin, and Bishop McFadden suggests the timing is good.  “Lent calls us to a period of renewal… perhaps in many ways it is a blessing that during the Season of Lent the whole Church now can be focused on renewal.”