Statements & Letters

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS 2023

  Photo by Dean Curtis/The Mirror Bishop Edward Rice recently issued the following: In light of the scandalous gathering in Los Angeles, I thought I would share my thoughts on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, June 16, 2023. https://vimeo.com/839040596?share=copy

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Diocese Announces Annual Clergy Assignments

Bishop Edward M. Rice recently released the annual clergy assignments that are effective July 01, 2022, unless otherwise noted. "Please keep these priests in your prayers as they adjust to their new assignments," said Bishop Rice. "Please pray, too, for former...

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2021 Annual Appeal

Diocesan Development Fund (DDF)—the Bishop’s Annual Appeal—directly funds the operational needs of more than 45 ministries that assist all 84 parishes & missions in the diocese.

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Catholic Healthcare Must Keep its Catholic Directives

Courtesy of Mercy Hospital Springfield In the last edition of The Mirror, I tried to shed light on the document outlining the guiding principles of a Catholic hospital, the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, commonly referred to as the...

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Henley Receives MCC 2021 Citizen Recognition Award

2021 CITIZEN RECOGNITION AWARD—Craig Henley is the diocesan recipient of the Missouri Catholic Conference 2021 Citizen Recognition Award. He is pictured with his family after Bp. Edward M. Rice presented him the award Sept. 12 in his home parish of...

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Bishop Summarizes Ad Limina Meetings with Roman Curia

In addition to meeting with our Holy Father, my recent ad limina visit to the Holy See included meeting with the heads of various offices of the Roman Curia, who shared their priorities and offered me an opportunity to report on what is happening in the Diocese of...

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MO Bishops Issue Statement on Gun Violence

We, the Catholic bishops of Missouri, wish to address the senseless gun violence that is occurring in our schools, on our streets, and in our inner cities. The disturbing frequency of these events is making us numb to the profound impact on those directly affected and...

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Statement to the Diocese from Bishop James V. Johnston

September 15, 2015 Dear Friends, This morning in Rome, Pope Francis announced that he has appointed me to be the next bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.  I have accepted his appointment, trusting in the love of Jesus Christ and God's mysterious...

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Statement from the Most Reverend James V. Johnston, Jr.

Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau ​Re: Mercy Healthcare, Springfield We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and God. We believe that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” and strive to follow the Bible’s counsel: “Do...

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