Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of Saint Benedict:

As you may have read this Sunday (February 19th) the Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, will formally dedicate the Church of Saint Robert Bellarmine in Freehold as the Co-Cathedral of the Diocese of Trenton. As I typed this I realized that it is most likely that the sentence needs to be broken down for a richer and more complete explanation.

The Apostolic Nuncio is the Pope’s personal representative in a country. Archbishop Pierre has served in this capacity here in the USA since last April, having previously served in Mexico. The Vatican City, under the title of The Holy See, is also an independent nation that enjoys diplomatic relations with over 190 other countries. The Nuncio then has a dual role. He is the Ambassador of the Holy See to the government of the United States (and the US appoints an Ambassador to the Holy See). He also serves as the personal delegate of the Pope to the bishops and faithful of the country in which he serves. It is usual that the Nuncio would officiate at the ordination or installation Mass for an Archbishop or a Bishop. He would also preside over those events that would rightly be reserved for the Pope, such as the dedication of a Cathedral or a Co-Cathedral.

The US only has diplomatic relations with the Vatican since 1984. Prior to that time an Apostolic Delegate represented the Pope to the Church and, through other diplomatic channels, to the government.

Each diocese in the world has a cathedral. It is the seat of the bishop (the cathedra) and the mother church of the diocese. In the Diocese of Trenton, our cathedral is the Church of the Assumption in Trenton. This church stands on the site of the previous cathedral church which was destroyed by a fire in 1956. Monsignor Richard T. Crean, rector of the cathedral and two housekeepers died in that fire.

The establishment of a Co-Cathedral is something new and unique. Trenton is only the sixth diocese in the US to designate a co-cathedral. Here a church is elevated to a lesser but equal status with the cathedral. The Co-Cathedral will have a cathedra, id est a seat used solely by the diocesan bishop. Various diocesan ceremonies and gatherings of the clergy and faithful will be held at the Co-Cathedral instead of the Cathedral. For the past few two years the annual Chrism Mass has been at St. Robert’s. Many other gatherings are held there already.

The elevation of the church to co-cathedral status serves to accentuate and highlight the uniqueness of the church in the diocese.

It is particularly fitting to designate St. Robert Bellarmine as the Co-Cathedral. It is fairly accessible to the diocese and is centrally located. It is relatively new (about ten years) and is fully ADA compliant. The church is large, bright and very welcoming.

It is my hope that many of our parishioners will be able to attend diocesan functions there. The Chrism Mass (Monday of Holy Week) is particularly poignant and unique in the liturgy of the church. The annual blessing of marriage anniversaries is held there as well.

We rejoice with the diocese this week as we receive this gift from our Holy Father – and joyfully celebrate the designation of the Church of Saint Robert Bellarmine as the Co-Cathedral of the Diocese of Trenton!

Blessings,
Father Garry