Statement on the appointment of Most Rev. Mark O’Connell as 11th Bishop of Albany

Following is a statement by Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, on the announcement from Rome this morning that Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, 77, from pastoral governance of the Diocese of Albany, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark W. O’Connell of the Archdiocese of Boston as the 11th Bishop of Albany:

“Today, we rejoice in the appointment of Bishop Mark O’Connell as the new Bishop of Albany. At the same time, we give thanks to God for the ministry of Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 more than two years ago.

“We look forward with joyful anticipation to Bishop O’Connell’s arrival in our state’s Capital City, and as the local Bishop to the New York State Catholic Conference staff. Bishop O’Connell’s background as vicar general and moderator of the curia of one of the largest archdioceses in the country prepares him well for leading the faithful in the Diocese of Albany. His commitment to synodality is evidenced by his podcast Listening to Catholic Women, which he recently launched. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, Bishop O’Connell has demonstrated great pastoral concern for survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

“While we welcome Bishop O’Connell, we express our love and appreciation for Bishop Scharfenberger, whose ministry as Bishop of Albany was marked by being a bridge builder and walking with survivors of abuse while being one of the Church’s leading voices for reform. He came to a diocese facing many challenges and has shied away from none of them, always imploring those under his pastoral care to not lose faith in Jesus Christ and to develop a personal relationship with Him. Bishop Scharfenberger’s own personal faith and serenity have been inspirational to all of us. We wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”