Retired Catholic Bishop McDonnell has ‘untreatable’ cancer, moves to hospice
SPRINGFIELD — Timothy A. McDonnell , retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, announced that an "untreatable cancer is spreading within me" and says he has moved to hospice care "for long or short — only God knows."
"I find myself thinking more and more of the Pauline passage, which I have quoted at funerals over 62 years of priesthood: 'Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, it has not entered the human what God has prepared for those who love him.'"
Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell gives ashes during Mass in 2014 at St. Michael's Cathedral, marking the beginning of Lent. (Mark M. Murray / The Republican, File)Staff-Shot
"Right now, I'm looking forward to finding out," he wrote in the message released Tuesday.
He's living at Mary's Meadow in Holyoke and says there is no real pain yet, just weakness, lethargy, and difficulty walking and writing.
McDonnell, a native New Yorker, came to the diocese of Springfield in 2004 as a steadying force during a crisis.
Bishop Thomas L. Dupre had resigned after he was indicted in 2004 on charges of abusing two boys during the 1970s.
Springfield Diocese Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell speaks during a 2013 press conference about the sudden resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. (Don Treeger / The Republican, File)The Republican
McDonnell, now 88 years old, resigned in 2012 at age 75, as required by Catholic Church law.
In retirement, McDonnell had been living and serving at St. Joseph's in Pittsfield.
Current Bishop William D. Byrne said he offers his heartfelt prayers for McDonnell as he acknowledges with grace his cancer diagnosis.
"Even as (the) bishop confronts this serious situation, he does so with his legendary Irish wit and charm," Byrne said in a written statement. "He enjoys his interaction with the staff at Mary's Meadow, as well as staying in touch with all the happenings in the diocese. Most importantly, he continues to live every day fully, recognizing it as a gift from our loving God."
The diocese has 79 parishes and seven missions with more than 199,000 Catholics. There are 184 priests throughout the four western counties of Massachusetts: Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire.
Stories by Jim Kinney
Read the original article on MassLive . Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
