A letter from Bishop Ed to the faithful

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger (r.) welcomes Bishop Mark O’Connell, who was named the 11th Bishop of Albany on Oct. 20, to the Diocese and said in a letter to the faithful that “I wanted him to know my desire to assist him pastorally and in any other way as he may request, since it has always been my wish to remain and to serve in the Diocese of Albany after retirement.” (Kathy Barrans photo)

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, 

What a great pleasure to share with you my joy and gratitude to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for naming the Most Reverend Mark O’Connell, currently Auxiliary Bishop of Boston (since 2016), as our next Bishop of Albany! At 10 o’clock a.m. on Saturday, October 11th, I received a telephone call from His Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio, so informing me confidentially. 

A letter dated October 14th from the Nunciature followed, strictly confidential till (Oct. 20), stating that the Holy Father has accepted my resignation, which I had submitted to Pope Francis on my 75th birthday, May 29, 2023. The announcement, it further stated, would be (Oct. 20), at noon in Rome, which is 6:00 a.m. here in Albany. The same letter informed me of my appointment as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Albany to serve until the Installation of Bishop O’Connell. 

We are expecting to celebrate the Installation on Friday, December 5th. As Apostolic Administrator I will continue to serve and collaborate with our clergy and diocesan and parish families fully throughout the transition. I have congratulated and welcomed Bishop O’Connell as we remain in conversation. I wanted him to know my desire to assist him pastorally and in any other way as he may request, since it has always been my wish to remain and to serve in the Diocese of Albany after retirement. 

Bishop O’Connell has been Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Boston since 2023. He is a man with great depth and breadth of pastoral, canonical and communications skills and experience. His motto is “Invenimus Messiam” (“We have found the Messiah”). We welcome him with open hearts and pray for many years of good health and joyful presence among us. 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Edward B. Scharfenberger 

Bishop Emeritus and Apostolic Administrator of Albany