by Bishop Robert Marshall Throughout the year 2025, Catholics and others of good will were summoned to become “Pilgrims of Hope,” witnesses to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Many traveled to Rome, to the four major basilicas, to pray at the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and to grow in their appreciation …
by Bishop Robert Marshall
Throughout the year 2025, Catholics and others of good will were summoned to become “Pilgrims of Hope,” witnesses to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Many traveled to Rome, to the four major basilicas, to pray at the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and to grow in their appreciation of the Church as more than their local parish, more than their diocese or national church. Pilgrims are united in faith and in mission to the other travelers on the road, to all who share in their experience of prayer – regardless of differences in language, culture, race, nationality, or economic circumstances. Their eyes are opened to the eternal truth that each and every human person is made in the image and likeness of God.
In the Diocese of Alexandria, some of our brothers and sisters made a pilgrimage to Rome or to other sacred sites throughout the world. Many more undertook a local pilgrimage to eight different churches throughout the four deaneries of the Diocese of Alexandria. Pilgrims visited historic churches, small communities and those that are experiencing rapid growth. They learned – and shared in their comments – that our thirteen civil parishes encompass diverse communities. Many were moved by the reverent and life-giving liturgies in which they participated – even the experience of a Mass in another language held in a packed church. We are grateful to the more than 400 who completed this pilgrimage – and to the hundreds of others who visited one or more sites.
The pilgrimage of this Jubilee Year took twists and turns in other ways. Pope Francis proclaimed this Ordinary Jubilee, but did not live to see its completion. The faithful of the Church and many others throughout the world mourned his passing and prayed for the repose of his soul. In the centuries-old tradition, cardinals from throughout the world, came to the Vatican and met in conclave to choose a successor to Pope Francis, a successor to Saint Peter. None of us imagined that the conclave would result in the election of the first American Pope – a Chicago native, an Augustinian who had been a bishop in Peru, Robert Cardinal Prevost, who chose the name Leo XIV. We are still getting to know Pope Leo, a task made simpler by his easy going nature, and his complete understanding of American culture. We look forward to his leadership for many more years.
As a diocese, we continued a process of Pastoral Planning – making decisions about how to move forward to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. We have fewer priests than in the past. We are infinitely more mobile than we were decades ago. We have struggled to celebrate Masses that may have been necessary in years past when churches were often full, but now draw dwindling numbers out of habit when every Catholic in the surrounding area could be accommodated in one or two Masses in one of our larger churches. The time has come to give priority to our mission of the proclamation of Jesus Christ over the burdensome task of maintaining numerous locations and buildings. In the coming year, we will emphasize how we can grow in our commitment to evangelization.
In the past two years, our diocese has been named in numerous lawsuits and claims regarding the sexual abuse of minors by priests. We recently filed for the financial reorganization of our diocese under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. As I noted at the time of our filing, we have two goals in this process. First, we want to do as much as we can, as fairly as we can, to compensate those who have been harmed. Second, we want to carry on the essential ministries of the diocese so that we can continue to meet the needs of our parishes, parishioners and others who rely upon the Church for assistance. A Chapter 11 proceeding is the best way to achieve these goals. We pray that in this difficult process we will address the sins of the past with an eye toward justice for all who were harmed.
The Jubilee Year has brought us graces and challenges. May our experiences of prayer, reflection, and dialogue bring us closer to our loving God and to one another as members of the Mystical Body of Christ.
