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
The Reinstatement of the Distribution of the Precious Blood to the Faithful
Click here to read the decree from Bishop Edward M. Rice regarding the reinstatement of the Precious Blood at Mass, starting on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 16, 2023.
Bishop Edward Rice Issues St. Patrick’s Day Dispensation
Bishop Edward M. Rice, therefore, decrees that on Fri., March 17, 2023, all Catholics of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, no matter where they may be, are, by his authority, dispensed from the obligation (can. 87 $1).
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...
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.
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...
WINTER SHELTER for the Homeless Opens at Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield
Claret Winter Shelter opening night with Fr. Ray Smith, CMF Photo by: John Farmer de la Torre/CCSOMO On the first night of the most recent cold snap, Feb. 2, Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield wanted to find a way to help the most vulnerable in the community. The wind...
The Holy Mass of Dedication of the St. John Henry Newman Chapel
The beautiful rite of Order of Dedication and Consecration for the new St. John Henry Newman Chapel was celebrated by the Most Rev. Edward M. Rice, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, on August 22, 2021, the annual feast of Mary Queen of Heaven and...
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...
MO Bishops Issue Statement After Execution of Ernest Johnson
Bishop Rice Issues Statement on Extraordinary Form of the Mass
Bishop Rice indicates that at this time, there will be no change to the current practice of the Latin Mass in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Pope Francis issues Motu Propio, 'Traditionis Custodes' Springfield In response to the many questions regarding the...
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...
Priests with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
A PDF revised March 22, 2023 can be found here.
Statement of the Missouri Catholic Bishops on the Disposition of Human Remains Through Alkaline Hydrolysis
We, the Catholic Bishops of Missouri, issue this statement to express our opposition to the legal recognition and use of alkaline hydrolysis as a means of disposing of human remains since it fails to fully respect the dignity that is owed to the deceased. Every human...
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...
Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau reports a complaint of sexual abuse
The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau reports a complaint of sexual abuse of a minor involving Father John Wells, deceased (1972). The allegation pertains to a period in the late-1960s. The Diocese has notified civil authorities of the allegation. John Wells was...
Missouri Catholic Conference Applauds Passage of Historic Pro-Life Bill, SB-5
[hr] CATHOLICS: Support Pro-life Bill SB-5 The Missouri Senate will reconvene Monday, July 24, at 4 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning, July 25, to consider amended SB-5, the strongest pro-life bill to be considered by the Missouri General Assembly in many decades. If...
Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau reports a complaint of sexual abuse
The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau reports a complaint of sexual abuse of a minor involving suspended priest Lawrence Gregovich, deceased (2017). The allegation pertains to a period in the late-1970s to early-1980s. The Diocese has notified civil...
Digital Media Kit for Bishop-Designate Edward M. Rice
Press Release Statement and Curriculum Vitae Coat of Arms Diocesan Statistics Diocesan Map How a Bishop is Appointed Symbols of a Bishop
The Most Reverend Edward M. Rice named Seventh Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
April 26, 2016 Today in Rome, Pope Francis announced at noon (5 a.m. in southern Missouri) that The Most Reverend Edward M. Rice, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis, has been named the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The diocese has been Vacant...
Press Statement of Bishop James V. Johnston, 7th Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
September 15, 2015 It is with faith and trust in the grace and love of Jesus Christ and in God’s providential designs, that I accept the appointment of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to be the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. I am very humbled...
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...
Statement from the Most Reverend James V. Johnston, Jr., on the Supreme Court Ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges
June 26, 2015 It is said that Abraham Lincoln once asked rhetorically, “If you call a tail a leg, how many legs does a horse have? Four, calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg.” Today, the Supreme Court, in essence, determined to call a tail a leg when it...
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...
Protecting Human Dignity and Religious Freedom a statement of Bishop James V. Johnston
Tuesday, September 30, 2014 Protecting Human Dignity and Religious Freedom A Statement of Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. to Catholics and All Persons of Good Will, in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau The Springfield City Council is currently scheduled to vote...
Statement of Bp. Johnston Regarding Supreme Court on Marriage
The Supreme Court decisions [June 26] were deeply disappointing. Laws that reflect the truth about marriage as a union between one man and one woman should be upheld, as these ultimately protect children and their rights to be conceived and raised by their mother and...