The former head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark, has passed away. Bishop Salvatore Matano made the announcement Sunday morning:
“I regret to inform you that this morning, January 22, 2023, His Excellency, The Most Reverend Matthew H. Clark, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Rochester, died in his room at the Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse, following a period of declining health. Bishop Clark was 85.
“Born on July 15, 1937, Bishop Clark was ordained a priest on December 19,1962, in Rome by Archbishop Martin John O’Connor, for the Diocese of Albany, New York. On May 27, 1979, Bishop Clark was ordained a bishop by Pope Saint John Paul II and subsequently installed as the eighth Bishop of Rochester on June 26 , 1979 , where he served for over 33 years until his resignation was accepted on September 21, 2012, in accord with canon 401 §1 the Code of Canon Law.
“United as a diocesan family, we now accompany Bishop Clark with our prayers, especially at Holy Mass, asking the angels and the saints to receive his soul and present him to the Eternal High Priest, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Kindly also pray for Bishop Clark’s family and friends who mourn his death and pray for him; may they be consoled by our faith in eternal life– a kingdom of light and peace where we will behold the face of God.
“Eternal rest grant unto Bishop Clark, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May he rest in peace. Amen.”
Public visitation will be held from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Sunday, January 29 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester, New York 14615.
Evening Prayers will be celebrated at 7:00 PM on Sunday, January 29, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Public visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM on Monday, January 30 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Funeral Mass will be offered at 12:00PM on Monday, January 30, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Burial in the Bishops Crypt, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, will immediately follow the Funeral Mass.
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