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6-24-2022
Bishop Hanefeldt’s Statement
in response to the United States Supreme Court Decision in the
Case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health OrganizationToday there is new hope for the unborn in this country. There is new hope for their mothers and fathers, that they might accept the amazing gift of life they have created. Today there is new hope for humanity, that each unborn person may be given the chance to enrich our lives with their unique gifts. Today the Supreme Court has taken an important step in bringing respect for all human life back to this country.
The generous work of all who believe in the sanctity of human life must continue, as before, with ever greater mercy and compassion. While there are numerous pregnancy care centers throughout this country – and parishes, organizations and individuals who serve them – we must become ever more responsive to the practical needs of those who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. In this way, the choice for life can be made more confidently, and the trauma of an abortion experience and its aftermath can be avoided.
Every baptized person must be a true servant of life! As disciples of Jesus, who came “that we might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10), we must always be generous servants of life! Serve the lives of others right where you are! Support the choice for life not only before birth, but after the birth of a child, as well!
In a particular way, let us pray for the conversion of those who believe that destroying life through abortion should ever be an option. Likewise, let us pray for the ongoing healing of those whose lives have been destroyed because of an abortion experience. To them, let us be ambassadors of hope in God, who is rich mercy.
Let us mark this historic day by renewing our esteem for all human life: embryos already created in labs, the unborn in the womb, those with special needs, the abandoned or marginalized, the mentally ill, the terminally ill and all those who live with great suffering. Let us remember the words of Jesus who said, “whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) -
3-1-2022
Pray for the People of Ukraine
As the world watches the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, it is imperative that Christians throughout the world make a response of faith and take up the call to prayer and fasting for an end to this evil.
In particular, Our Lady of Fatima asked the world to pray for the conversion of Russia. Once again it is time to make a response of faith by our fervent praying of the holy rosary, that Our Lady Queen of Peace will overcome this evil and bring a peaceful resolution to this tragic conflict.
I encourage all our parishes, and the various organizations within our diocese and parishes, to begin regularly praying the holy rosary for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. Pray that the great mercy of God will bring healing and hope to all who are victims of this senseless conflict.
Together, let us renew our faith in the powerful intercession of Our Blessed Mother. Pray the rosary so that the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph over this evil. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us to have recourse to thee!
Most Reverend +Joseph G. Hanefeldt
Bishop of Grand Island -
11/4/2021
Nebraska Bishops' Joint Statement
In Response to the Nebraska Attorney General's Investigative Report
Today, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson reported on the findings of his three-year investigation into criminal misconduct by clergy ministering in Nebraska’s three Catholic dioceses. His report outlines the abusive behavior of a number of priests, deacons, and Catholic laity over a span of many decades. The Attorney General’s investigation and report concern the Catholic Church in Nebraska only, and not any other religious denomination, youth service organization, or school system.We acknowledge with sadness that so many innocent minors and young adults were harmed by Catholic clergy and other representatives of the Church. It is clear that the hurt is still felt, even if the abuse was perpetrated many years ago. We apologize to the victims and their families for the pain, betrayal and suffering that never should have been experienced in the Church.
This report also points out mistakes made in the way dioceses received, reported and responded to allegations of sexual abuse in the past. We have been committed in recent years to comprehensive measures to protect young people and vulnerable adults, preventing abuse, offering healing for past victims of abuse and fully cooperating with civil authorities in these matters. We have made our own public disclosures of offending clergy.
Anyone who believes that a member of the clergy, church worker, or church volunteer has engaged in inappropriate conduct with a minor should contact law enforcement and the Victim Assistance Coordinator of the Diocese where the conduct occurred.
Please join us in praying for healing for victims of abuse, for their families and all in our communities who are touched by the evil of sexual abuse.
Archbishop George J. Lucas, Archdiocese of Omaha
Bishop James D. Conley, Diocese of Lincoln
Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt, Diocese of Grand Island
Victim Assistance -
5/17/2021
New Clergy Appointments for 2021
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4/30/2021
Appointment of Fr. James R. Golka as the next
Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado SpringsToday in Rome at 12:00 noon, (5:00AM Central time/4:00AM Mountain time), the Vatican announced the appointment of Fr. James R. Golka as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. The announcement will officially be made in the Diocese of Colorado Springs at a 10:00AM (MDT) press conference today. Hopefully, you can gain livestream access to the press conference there by going to the Diocese of Colorado Springs website at www.diocs.org.
This announcement is bittersweet for our diocese. While we are losing a fine priest here in Grand Island, it is cause for much rejoicing for the Church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. Truly, it is a cause for celebration here in the Diocese of Grand Island, as well. Bishop-elect Golka is the first priest of the Diocese of Grand Island, in the history of our diocese, to be named bishop.
Bishop Dendinger and I offer “Fr. Jim” our heartfelt congratulations and fraternal support. Likewise, we congratulate all in his family as they are especially honored by his appointment as bishop today.
Please join me in offering fervent prayer and fraternal support for Bishop-elect Golka in this time of transition in his life. May our Blessed Mother comfort him and may St. Joseph strengthen him for all that lies ahead. -
3/31/2021 Mass Obligation Reinstatement
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3/3/2021
Bishop Hanefeldt Supports the following Statement issued by the USCCB on March 2, 2021 on the use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine
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1/15/2021
Bishop Hanefeldt's Statement on Overcoming Racism
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King was first and foremost a man of faith. It was his faith, and his untiring desire for justice for all people, that enabled him to speak God’s word not only to his congregation at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, but to this nation and to the world. Dr. King called us to respect the dignity of the human person, regardless of their race. As we honor his legacy, let us consider the traces of racism that might be concealed within our own hearts.
Unfortunately, the word racism today stirs up political connotations which themselves divide us. Racism is real, and aside from politics, we need to acknowledge our own thoughts and feelings about others with whom we may differ racially and ethnically.
In November of 2018, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a document entitled,
“Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.” In the opening lines of this document, the bishops set out a description of racism, noting that:
Racism arises when—either consciously or unconsciously—a person holds that his or her own race or ethnicity is superior, and therefore judges persons of other races or ethnicities as inferior and unworthy of equal regard. When this conviction or attitude leads individuals or groups to exclude, ridicule, mistreat, or unjustly discriminate against persons on the basis of their race or ethnicity, it is sinful. Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice. They reveal a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love (Mt 22:39).
At first glance, most of us would probably reject the racist term, thinking that we have never treated anyone poorly because of their race or ethnic background. However, upon further consideration, we might discover that some of our past comments, attitudes and dispositions have, at times, been based on underlying racial assumptions. This was the case for me, personally. After I moved away from home and grew in friendship with those of other races, they helped me look more closely at certain patterns in my speech that reflected a bias in how I viewed people. While I was not aware of nor had I any hurtful intentions toward others, their gentle review of these patterns with me were very helpful. This has caused me be more respectful of others and more cognizant of hidden biases. When comments and attitudes are intentionally racist, it is all the more important that we own up to the sinfulness of racism in our lives.
Racism is a consequence of original sin. Nevertheless, it needs to be confronted, first personally, but also in our culture. The Bishop’s pastoral letter says,
What is needed, and what we are calling for, is a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society. Conversion is a long road to travel for the individual. Moving our nation to a full realization of the promise of liberty, equality, and justice for all is even more challenging. However, in Christ we can find the strength and the grace necessary to make that journey.
So as a first step, let me challenge you to read this recent document presented by USCCB. In doing so, I would encourage you to notice both what may inspire you and what may trouble you from your reading. Trust that the Holy Spirit is at work in both what inspires you and what troubles you. Ask for the grace to be open to greater self-knowledge and the courage to respond to what the Holy Spirit is doing. You can purchase a copy of this pastoral letter online, or access the pdf version of it at: open-wide-our-hearts.pdf (usccb.org).
In our constant pursuit of holiness, may the Lord enable us to live with ever greater integrity our respect for the human person. May the courageous example of Dr. Martin Luther King inspire us to follow through in our resolve to see Christ in every human person. -
January 2021
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11/11/2020
Statement about Vatican Report on
Theodore McCarrickThe report issued by the Vatican on the sexual abuse investigation surrounding Theodore McCarrick has at last been made public. Words are inadequate to describe what these pages detail.
In 2018, the Church was devastated by the news that credible allegations of sexual abuse had been made about one of her most prominent leaders. He has since been dismissed from the clerical state. Now the Church is saddened to learn more about what took place and how this man was able to rise to the positions that he held in the Church.
As unimaginable as all of this is, I pray that this report will help bring further healing to McCarrick’s victims and victims of sexual abuse throughout the Church.
There must always be an ongoing purification in the Church. That purification began with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002. Since then, the incidence of clergy sexual abuse has greatly diminished. Greater accountability of bishops was implemented with the Catholic Bishops Abuse Reporting (CBAR) system that was launched last Spring. The purification continues with this report as we learn more about how a cunning and deceptive priest came to be bishop, archbishop and cardinal. Purification in the Church will always be needed, as men and women struggle to overcome human weakness, to avoid what is evil and do what is good.
Offended, angered, and ashamed as we are, let us also be resolved as the Church to live with ever greater integrity as the community of disciples called by Jesus to bring the hope of God’s mercy and salvation to all the world.
