Changing of the guard at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

   Bishop John D'Arcy has announced his retirement over the weekend. Bishop D'Arcy holds the priestly duties of the Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocese. At the Cathedral Of Immaculate Conception, parishioners will see the changing of the guard. The Bishop is retiring because of mandatory retirement age rules. He has served the diocese for 24 years as Bishop.
   John D'Arcy was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1932 to Irish immigrants. This first generation American, followed the path of many of the Irish, being ordained. He studied in Rome, at the Angelicum, earning his doctorate in spiritual theology. He was ordained in 1957. His first position as Bishop, was as an auxiliary in the Boston Diocese. He served as theological professor from 1968 to 1985, at St. John's Seminary in Boston.
   In 1985, Bishop D'Arcy was assigned to the Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocese, headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN. He was the eighth Bishop to hold this honor.
   Upon his retirement, on Jan. 13, 2010, he will continue to serve the diocese. A Priest is appointed Bishop, only on the command of the Pope. This honor fell upon Father Kevin Rhoades from the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. This act of retirement and new appointment, takes special significance at this time. Pope Benedict XVI has declared this year, the Year of the Priest.
   Bishop D'arcy reached national prominence during the nationwide priest sex abuse scandals. Fort Wayne Diocese, at that time, had the harshest policy of any diocese in America. When the American ruling body of American priest set a national regulation for dealing with priest for these types of allegations, it was the model that Bishop D'Arcy instituted that they chose. He was also known because of the scandal at Notre Dame University involving the asking of President Obama to speak.
   Honored by the Church and loved by his parishioners, The Most Holy Reverend, Bishop D'Arcy will be missed.