News Releases

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has announced the following pastoral assignments; all are effective July 1, 2019

Deacons Samuel Bellafiore, Kyle Eads and Michael Melanson will be ordained to the priesthood for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany on Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m.

Following is a statement by Mary DeTurris Poust, Director of Communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, in response to today’s Jeff Anderson press conference

“Survivors first” was the overriding theme of the first meeting of the Sex-Abuse Task Force established by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger to focus on ways to support survivors and review and reform diocesan policy and protocols. The meeting, held May 16 at Siena College, set the groundwork for how the Task Force will operate in the months to come and the overarching goals and challenges.

Charles Onyeneke will be ordained a transitional deacon as part of his continuing journey to the priesthood by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 125 Eagle St., Albany, on Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m.

Father Matthew H. Frisoni, S.T.L., J.C.L., has been appointed Judicial Vicar of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, effective June 1. He succeeds Father James I. Donlon, J.C.D., who is retiring from full-time active ministry.

The incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney will visit the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 125 Eagle St., Albany, as part of a national tour on Friday, April 26, from noon to 7 p.m. The Shrine of Ars, France, entrusted the major relic to the Knights of Columbus for the six-month Heart of a Priest tour of the United States. The Albany visit is part of the northeastern stretch of the tour.

Two parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany will be offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation for 24 hours straight Friday, April 12, into Saturday, April 13. Bishop Scharfenberger will join Hudson location for three hours.

The following is a schedule for Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany for Holy Week, which marks the end of the Lenten season, and for Easter, which commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger is calling for comprehensive reform that is focused on accompanying and supporting survivors, following the Vatican summit on clerical sex abuse (February 21-24).