Rochester's Bishop Matthew Clark Readies Retirement Letter
By Sean Dobbin
A momentous undertaking, the Diocese of Rochester's three-day synod in October 1993 centered on the recommendations of more than 30,000 parishioners, who over several years had submitted countless suggestions regarding the future of the diocese and how it tied in to their faith, their values and their dreams. But while the synod itself ranks highly among his favorite moments in Rochester, engaging with the parishioners beforehand and drawing on their strength, joy, and goodwill, is among Bishop Matthew H. Clark's most cherished memories of his time here. "The experience of doing it that way has had its good fruit for all the years since," said Clark. "The realization that yes, what we do is extremely important, and the decisions we make are crucial, but no less important are the ways we come to it." In July, Clark will reach the age of 75, whereupon he will submit his resignation to the Vatican as is mandated by Canon Law. On Monday, he spoke to members of the media and reflected on his 33 years as bishop, saying that interacting with his parishioners was the best part of the position. "My overarching joy has been their company over 33 years, and the privilege I had every day of being inspired, informed, and strengthened about this community of people across our 12 counties," he said. Clark, who grew up in a small town just north of Albany, attended College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., before entering the seminary. Ordained as a priest in 1962, he rose to the position of spiritual director at the North American College in Rome. He was appointed bishop in Rochester in June 1979, and his 33 service years make him the second-longest tenured bishop in the region's history, behind only the diocese's first bishop, Bernard J. McQuaid. But during that span came many difficult decisions and several moments of anguish. The closing of many Catholic schools in response to dwindling attendance was a difficult step, said Clark. The schism with Corpus Christi Church drew national media attention. But most painful of all was the national sex abuse scandal which saw thousands of priests nationwide removed from the priesthood; earlier this month, the Diocese of Rochester published the names of 23 such priests it had removed from the ministry over the past 10 years. "It's the worst thing that has ever happened in my lifetime to the church," said Clark. "The core damage done to the young people victimized by priests, of whom had every right to expect the highest level of trust and care, that is a terrible black mark and stain on our recent history." Clark praised the rule that requires bishops to retire at age 75, saying there was wisdom to the regulation. He declined to give any advice to his successor, saying only that he would be "at his disposal in any way that he might find helpful." Clark will submit his resignation on July 15, whereupon the process to name the diocese's next bishop will begin. Typically, that process takes about a year. Contact: SDOBBIN@DemocratandChronicle.com
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