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Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
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Happening Now
The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Catholic schools closed effective March 16
Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic schools, issued the following letter, March 14, 2020, to parents announcing the closure of all Catholic schools in Arkansas beginning March 16, 2020: "Dear Parents, In an effort to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us, the Catholic Schools Office, with approval from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, has decided to close all the Catholic schools beginning March 16 until March 30, 2020. In response to COVID-19, we are trying to be proactive rather than reactive. Accordingly, certain ... More
Bishop abuse reporting service launched
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, issued the following letter, March 16, 2020, about the creation of a third-party reporting system to specifically report and assess allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct with minors by bishops: "Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "Following guidance from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter, "Vos Estis Lux Mundi" ("You are the light of the world"), the bishops of the United States met this past fall to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church. The result of that meeting ... More
Bishop suspends Masses after March 21
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following letter, March 12, 2020, to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock about required changes in response to COVID-19. "As your bishop, I have an obligation to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us. In response to COVID-19, the Diocese of Little Rock is trying to be pro-active rather than reactive. Accordingly, certain measures must be put in place in an effort to “flatten the curve” such that the spike in COVID-19 cases is not too high, too fast, such that our healthcare ... More
Bishop greets those to become Catholic
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor met nearly 600 catechumens and candidates during four Rite of Election services across the Diocese of Little Rock Feb. 27 - March 2. Each year, bishops in dioceses worldwide personally welcome those going through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process during the Rite of Election, a special service usually held at the beginning of Lent. The rite was held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro Feb. 27; St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers Feb. 29; Christ the King Church in Little Rock March 1; and St. Edward Church ... More
Support group available for abuse victims
Last fall, the Diocese of Little Rock started a chapter of the Maria Goretti Network (MGN) for those who have been affected by any type of abuse and need love and support. It doesn’t matter if the abuse was physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual or mental. Support group meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month at the St. Joseph Spiritan Center in Conway. The next meeting will be April 4. See complete schedule. This ministry is named after St. Maria Goretti, the patron saint of abused children and rape victims. Alessandro Serenelli tried ... More
Father James P. West, 59, dies March 8
Father Greg Luyet, judicial vicar, addressed the following letter to diocesan staff, Monday, March 9, 2020, regarding the death of Father James West on March 8: "It is with great sadness, but with faith in eternal life, that I write to you to announce the death of Father Jim West. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last night in his rectory in Texarkana at the age of 59. Father West was born in Texarkana, Texas, in 1960. He attended Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas, Texas, beginning in 1980, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Andrew J. McDonald ... More
Fuerza Transformadora supporting couples
Fuerza Transformadora (Transforming Force) is sponsoring a Spanish-language retreat for couples March 28 in the parish center at St. Theresa Church in Little Rock to focus on not taking your spouse for granted, always showing love, and the fact that God gives us the partner we need, not necessarily the one we ask for. Serio Torres is a former gang leader who created Fuerza Transformadora in 2006 to reach people who are struggling with drug and alcohol addictions, gang life and violence and help them learn about God and change their lives. ... More
Bishop implements precautions at Masses
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following letter, March 1, 2020, to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock regarding the spread of the coronavirus in the United States: "As we all know, the coronavirus seems to be becoming a worldwide threat for which there is no vaccination or cure available. Moreover, since it seems that it is present in the body for a long time before symptoms appear, it will be very difficult to prevent its spread. As always, persons who feel ill should not come to Mass. The following may be helpful and so I am asking for these temporary modifications ... More
