Victoria Garcia (973)497-4189

For Release:  September 1, 1997

Archbishop McCarrick's Statement 
Regarding the Death of Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Francis

"The death of Bishop Joseph Francis affects not only the Church of Newark, but in a real sense the Church in the United States. As we reflect on the sadness which the loss of this good friend and brother brings to us here at home, we recognize so clearly in his passing his contribution to the American Catholic community as a whole." 

"A faithful religious whose roots in the Society of the Divine Word were always so present to him, he became part of our family more than 20 years ago. To our African American Catholics, for whom he was so great a voice and so outstanding a leader, his death is a loss indeed. But for all of us who were challenged by his eloquence and courage and guided by his wisdom, the passing of this special champion of human dignity and of the rights of all God's children, brings sorrow and emptiness. As we can never forget his smile and the warmth of his presence, so will we always remember his constant example and the message of his life." 

"Bishop Francis in a particular way touched the lives of the African-American leadership of the Church in the United States and the extent of his influence in this century will come to be more fully appreciated with the passage of time. Through Joseph Francis the Archdiocese of Newark gave a special gift to the Church of America. We thank God for the years of his presence among us." 

 

1997 News Releases