Overview
- Bishop Mark O’Connell, currently an auxiliary in the Archdiocese of Boston and its vicar general, was appointed as the 11th bishop of Albany.
- He was introduced to the diocese in a livestreamed event on Monday, with formal installation scheduled for December 5.
- O’Connell said he needs to hear from those affected by the St. Clare’s Hospital pension collapse and will learn more before outlining steps.
- Nearly 1,000 former St. Clare’s employees lost promised pensions, and former employee Mary Hartshorne expects a trial against the diocese in November.
- The appointment follows the diocese’s recent $8 million settlement of a child sexual abuse lawsuit, accompanied by a public apology.