James Moynihan, well-known retired Syracuse bishop, dies at age 84

By Kira Maddox
Syracuse.com
March 6, 2017

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/james_moynihan_well-known_retired_syracuse_bishop_dies_at_age_84.html

Bishop James Moynihan talks about the release the Syracuse diocese's full report on alleged sexual misconduct. Photo by Michelle Gabel

Alanna Glidden (RIGHT) listens to Bishop James M. Moynihan speak to her 1st grade class at St. Patrick's Elementry School in Oneida Friday afternoon. Laura Potter (LEFT) looks at her teacher Luanne Schrenkel (CS).The Bishop had just finished celebrating mass St. Patrick Church as part of Catholic School Week. Photo by Frank Ordonez

Bishop James M. Mpynihan incenses the altar in the Cathederal of the Immaculate Conception during a noon mass, Wednesday celebrated to mark the election of Pope Benedict XVI as head of the Roman Catholic Church. The mass presided over by Syracuse Dioceses Bishop James M. Moynihan was attended by a large noon time crowd of the faithful.

15 / 33 James M. Moynihan becomes the 9th Bishop of Syracuse. Photo by Carl J. Single

Bishop James M. Moynihan (second from left) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse joined people in prayer in front of Planned Parenthood after a procession marched from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Photo by John Berry

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A well-known, retired Syracuse bishop died today, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse announced. 

Rev. James M. Moynihan, the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse, was 84 years old, the diocese said. He was a bishop for 14 years, starting in 1995.

During his time as bishop, Moynihan was the first bishop to lead prayer processions to Planned Parenthood, raised $42 million through his Heritage Campaign -- the largest campaign in diocese history -- and created the Catholic Education Fund to help people pay for tuition, according to the diocese announcement of his death.

Moynihan, a Rochester native, had significant hurdles to navigated during his tenure, such as the declining number of clergy in the diocese and an early 2000s sex-abuse scandal.

Moynihan told The Post-Standard | Syracuse.com in 2009 as he prepared to leave his job that the sex-abuse scandal was "a time of great pain and humiliation."

"Everyone was hurting," he said. "My job was to be there for everyone, the abused and the abusers."

In 2003 he set up the Diocese Review Board and an Office of Victim Assistance to review abuse claims and run background checks on all employees and volunteers, according to the diocese.

Moynihan oversaw a restructuring plan for the diocese that closed or merged dozens of churches to cope with the decreasing number of priests. This plan -- which some opposed -- laid the groundwork for the diocese's current pastoral planning process, the diocese said.

"I'm glad I was here for the rocky times," he said. "I felt I knew how to handle them, and the Holy Spirit was with me. I did it with help."

In 2006, Moynihan sent 11 names to Pope Benedict XVI to be elevated to monsignors. They were all approved, marking the first time Syracuse diocese priests had been granted that title in more than 30 years, according to the diocese.

Moynihan retired as bishop when he turned 75 in 2009. He was replaced by Bishop Robert J. Cummingham. 

"I was a lucky guy," Moynihan said in 2009. "I've enjoyed being a bishop for these people."

In a news release sent out about his death, Cunningham hoped God would grant Moynihan eternal peace.

"We thank him for a lifetime of service to the Church and in a very special way for his service to the Diocese of Syracuse," he said.

The Syracuse diocese has 128 parishes in seven counties, with 237,546 parishioners. The diocese oversees 42 residential facilities for the disabled, 22 schools and employs 3,000 people.

Funeral arrangements

Thursday, March 9
Reception of the Body: 3 p.m.
Viewing continues to 7 p.m.
Vigil for Bishop Moynihan: 7 p.m.

Friday, March 10
Viewing 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m.
Celebrant: His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan

Burial follows in the Cathedral Crypt