Jump to content

Diocese of Rockford

From Catholicism Wiki
Diocese of Rockford
Diœcesis Rockfordiensis
Cathedral of St. Peter
Cathedral of St. Peter
Location
Country United States
Territory 11 counties in northwestern Illinois
Ecclesiastical province Chicago
Metropolitan Chicago
Coordinates 42°15′57″N 88°57′49″W / 42.265808°N 88.963501°W
Statistics
Area 6,457 sq mi (16,720 km2)
Population
Total
Catholics 		(as of 2010)
1,665,000
451,509 (27.1%)
Parishes 107
Information
Denomination Catholic
Sui iuris church Latin Church
Rite Roman Rite
Established September 23, 1908
Cathedral Cathedral of Saint Peter
Patron saint Immaculate Conception[1]
Secular priests 134
Current leadership
Pope Leo XIV
Bishop David John Malloy
Metropolitan Archbishop Blase J. Cupich
Map
Website
rockforddiocese.org

The Diocese of Rockford (Latin: Diœcesis Rockfordiensis) is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Northern Illinois in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The mother church is the Cathedral of Saint Peter in the City of Rockford. David Malloy is the bishop.

Territory

The Diocese of Rockford comprises the counties of Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Kane, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago.

History

1700 to 1800

During the 17th century, present day Illinois was part of the French colony of New France. The Diocese of Quebec, which had jurisdiction over the colony, sent numerous French missionaries to the region. It was estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 Native American converts and French trappers and settlers throughout the region were tended to by these Jesuit missionaries.[2]

After the British took control of New France in 1763, the Archdiocese of Quebec retained jurisdiction in the Illinois area. However, most of the French Catholics in the area migrated to Louisiana.[2]

In 1776, the new United States claimed sovereignty over the area of Illinois. After the American Revolution ended in 1783, Pope Pius VI erected in 1784 the Prefecture Apostolic of the United States, encompassing the entire territory of the new nation.[3] In 1785, the vicar apostolic, John Carroll, sent his first missionary to Illinois. In 1787, the Illinois area became part of the Northwest Territory of the United States. Pius VI created the Diocese of Baltimore, the first diocese in the United States, to replace the prefecture apostolic in 1789.[4][5]

1800 to 1907

When the Vatican erected the Diocese of Bardstown in Kentucky in 1808, it gained jurisdiction over the Illinois area.[3] The jurisdiction over northern Illinois shifted in 1834 to the Diocese of St. Louis.[6] The first Catholic mass in Elgin was conducted by two French missionaries in 1837.[7]

With the creation of the Diocese of Chicago in 1843, northern Illinois was transferred from the Diocese of St. Louis. The Rockford area would be part of the Diocese of Chicago, followed by the Archdiocese of Chicago, for the next 64 years.[8]

In Elgin, the first Catholic church, St. Mary's, opened in 1851.[7] That same year, Bishop James Van de Velde of Chicago purchased land for the first Catholic church in Aurora.[9] The first Catholic church in Rockford was St. James, founded in 1853. The first parochial school in the city was started in 1855.[10] The footprint of the diocese continued to expand during this time with the dedication of a parish church in DeKalb in 1861.[11]

In 1899, the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis opened St. Anthony Hospital in Rockford. Today it is OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center.[12] Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin was founded in 1901.[13]

1907 to 1942

Pope Pius X erected the Diocese of Rockford on September 27, 1907. Its territory of 12 counties was taken from the Archdiocese of Chicago. The pope appointed Auxiliary Bishop Peter Muldoon of Chicago as the first bishop of Rockford.[14] With the 1917 entry of the United States into World War I, Muldoon ministered to soldiers and recruits at Camp Grant, the US Army facility in Rockford.[15] He died in 1927.[14]

Auxiliary Bishop Edward Hoban of Chicago was named by Pope Pius XI in 1928 as bishop of Rockford.[16] During his tenure, Hoban opened many elementary and high schools in the diocese, modernized charitable institutions, and established a diocesan newspaper.[17] In 1942, Pope Pius XII appointed Hoban as coadjutor bishop for the Diocese of Cleveland.[16]

1942 to present

The next bishop of Rockford was Monsignor John Boylan from the Diocese of Des Moines, appointed by Pius XII in 1942.[18] During his tenure as bishop, Boylan was able to reduce the diocese's debt while adding new parishes and schools to meet population growth.[19] In 1948, Pope Pius XII established the Diocese of Joliet and transferred Kendall County from Rockford to Joliet. After Boylan died in 1953, Pius named Raymond Hillinger of Chicago to replace him that same year [18] Three years later, Hillinger was made auxiliary bishop in Chicago.[20]

Auxiliary Bishop Loras Lane from the Archdiocese of Dubuque replaced Hillinger in 1956. Lane died in 1968; Pope Paul VI named Arthur O'Neill to take Lane's place.[21][22]

In 1992, William Joffe, a diocesan priest, pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud and one count of interstate transportation of a fraudulent check and received one year in prison.[23] He also embezzled $265,000 from his parish in McHenry County. He spent the money on a horse farm in Harvard, Illinois, and a resort and restaurant in Wisconsin. After his release from prison in 1992, Joffe was assigned to a new parish. However, after only a few months, Joffe was suspended from the priesthood in 1993.[24]

Serving as bishop of Rockford for 26 years, O'Neill retired in 1994.[22] Thomas G. Doran of Rockford was the next bishop, named by Pope John Paul II in 1994.[25] In 2011, the diocese ended its participation in state-funded adoptions and foster-care placements because the State of Illinois would no longer allow discrimination against same-sex married couples.[26] Doran retired as bishop of Rockford in 2012.[25] That same year, David Malloy of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, named by John Paul II, became the next bishop.[27]

In June 2026, the diocese sued the State of Illinois, stating that the Illinois Human Rights Act prevented Catholic institutions from discriminating against hiring candidates who support abortion rights for women.[28]

Bishops

Bishops of Rockford

  1. Peter Muldoon (1908-1927)
  2. Edward Francis Hoban (1928-1942), appointed Coadjutor Bishop and later Bishop of Cleveland
  3. John Joseph Boylan (1942-1953)
  4. Raymond Peter Hillinger (1953-1956), appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
  5. Loras Thomas Lane (1956-1968)
  6. Arthur Joseph O'Neill (1968-1994)
  7. Thomas George Doran (1994-2012)
  8. David John Malloy (2012–present)

Other diocesan priests who became bishops

Education

As of 2026, the Diocese of Rockford had 29 elementary schools with approximately 6,200 students, eight high schools with about 2,572 students and 36,675 individuals attending religious education programs run by the parishes.[29]

High schools

Controversies

Sexual abuse

In 2002, Bishop Doran confirmed that Harlan Clapsaddle had sexually abused three brothers when they were minors in the 1970s. When the victims complained about the priest to the diocese in 1996, Clapsaddle was investigated and then removed from ministry. Each victim received a $27,000 cash settlement in 1997.[38] Clapsaddle was permanently removed from ministry in 2002.

Mark Campobello pleaded guilty in 2004 to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Two women had accused him of indecent touching when they 14-and 15-years-old in 1999 and 2000. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.[39] The Vatican laicized Campobello in 2005. The two victims reached a $2.2 million settlement with the diocese in 2007.[40]

In November 2018, Bishop Malloy released a list of 15 clerics who had been accused of acts of sexual abuse from 1925 to 1991.[41] In 2023, the Illinois Attorney General released a report on Catholic clergy child sex, claiming that than 450 Catholic clergy in Illinois had abused nearly 2,000 minors since 1950.[42][43]

Violence

On September 30, 2000, John Earl, a Rockford Catholic priest, drove his car into the Northern Illinois Health Clinic after learning that the FDA had approved the drug RU-486, prescribed for medical abortions. He pulled out an ax before being forced to the ground by the owner of the building, who fired two warning shots from a shotgun.[44] Earl was sentenced to 30 months of probation and paid over $7,000 in fines and restitution, but remained a priest in good standing.[45]

Canonical status and jurisdiction

Diocese of Rockford is a diocese of the catholic church of the Catholic Church.[46]

From the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia

Diocese of Rockford — (ROCKFORDIENSIS).

Created 23 September, 1908, comprises Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Carrol, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, Whiteside, Lee, and Kendall Counties in the north-western part of the State of Illinois. The diocese has an area of 6867 sq. miles, and a Catholic population of 50,000, mostly Irish and Germans or their descendants. The total population of the twelve counties that form the diocese, according to the last census, in 414,872. The entire territory of the Diocese of Rockford was a part of the Archdiocese of Chicago until 23 September, 1908. The city of Rockford has a population of 48,000; it is a manufacturing centre. The Right Reverend Peter James Muldoon, formerly Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, was appointed the first Bishop of Rockford, and took possession of his see, 15 December, 1908. There are in the diocese (1911), 99 secular priests, 18 missions with attendance of 3850, 5 hospitals, 1 maternity home, 1 home for aged, and Mt. St. Mary's Academy for Girls (St. Charles) with an attendance of 84.

Offic. Catholic Directory

References

  1. Back to citation "Coat of Arms – Diocese of Rockford".
  2. Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 "Illinois, Catholic Church in | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  3. Back to citation occurrence 3.0 Back to citation occurrence 3.1 "Baltimore (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  4. Back to citation "Our History". Archdiocese of Baltimore. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  5. Back to citation "Freedom of Religion Comes to Boston | Archdiocese of Boston". www.bostoncatholic.org. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  6. Back to citation "Saint Louis (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  7. Back to citation occurrence 7.0 Back to citation occurrence 7.1 "About Our Parish". St Mary Church. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  8. Back to citation "Chicago (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
  9. Back to citation "History – St. Mary Church, Aurora". Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  10. Back to citation "History". St. James Parish. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  11. Back to citation "History of St. Mary Parish". St. Mary Catholic Church. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
  12. Back to citation "History". www.osfhealthcare.org. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  13. Back to citation "Saint Joseph Hospital". Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  14. Back to citation occurrence 14.0 Back to citation occurrence 14.1 "Bishop Peter James Muldoon [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  15. Back to citation "Administrative Committee, NCWC", The Elevator Constructor, Vol. XVI, No. 3, March 1919, International Union of Elevator Constructors, Philadelphia
  16. Back to citation occurrence 16.0 Back to citation occurrence 16.1 "Archbishop Edward Francis Hoban [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  17. Back to citation "Hoban, Edward Francis". The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
  18. Back to citation occurrence 18.0 Back to citation occurrence 18.1 "Bishop John Joseph Boylan [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  19. Back to citation "Bishop John J. Boylan – Diocese of Rockford". Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  20. Back to citation "Bishop Raymond Peter Hillinger [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  21. Back to citation "Bishop Loras Thomas Lane [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  22. Back to citation occurrence 22.0 Back to citation occurrence 22.1 "Bishop Arthur Joseph O'Neill [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  23. Back to citation "Priest Pleads Guilty to Bilking Parish, by Wilson Ring, Chicago Tribune, October 30, 1991". www.bishop-accountability.org. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  24. Back to citation "William I. Joffe | Narrative". clergyreport.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  25. Back to citation occurrence 25.0 Back to citation occurrence 25.1 "Bishop Thomas George Doran [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  26. Back to citation Mann, Benjamin (2011-06-01). "Public Adoption Ceases in Rockford Diocese". NCR. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  27. Back to citation "Bishop David John Malloy [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  28. Back to citation "Illinois diocese asks court to block law requiring it to hire nonbelievers". EWTN News. 2026-06-04. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  29. Back to citation "Statistics – Diocese of Rockford". Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  30. Back to citation "Aquin Catholic Schools - Freeport, IL". www.aquinschools.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  31. Back to citation "Aurora Central Catholic High School". www.auroracentral.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  32. Back to citation "Boylan Catholic High School | Rockford, IL". www.boylan.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  33. Back to citation "Marian Central Catholic High School - Creating a community of focus and l". Marian Catholic Central. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  34. Back to citation "Academy Profile". Marmion. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  35. Back to citation "Newman Central Catholic High School". Newman Central Catholic High School. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  36. Back to citation "A Private All Girls College Preparatory School in Aurora, IL". www.rosaryhs.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  37. Back to citation "St. Edward Central Catholic High School". St. Edward Central Catholic High School. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  38. Back to citation "Bishop Confirms Abuse Allegations, by Edith C Webster, Rockford Register Star, May 8, 2002". www.bishop-accountability.org. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  39. Back to citation "8 years for priest in sex abuse". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  40. Back to citation "Settlement Reached in Abuse Lawsuit, by Penny Wiegert, Office of Communications & Publications, May 10, 2007". www.bishop-accountability.org. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  41. Back to citation "Rockford Diocese Names Priests Accused Of Sexual Abuse of Children". Northern Public Radio: WNIJ and WNIU. 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  42. Back to citation "Report On Catholic Clergy Child Sex Abuse In Illinois 2023". Office of the Attorney General - State of Illinois. May 23, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  43. Back to citation Foody, Kathleen; Tarm, Michael (2023-05-23). "Catholic clergy sexually abused Illinois kids far more often than church acknowledged, state finds". AP News. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  44. Back to citation "CNN.com - Axe-wielding priest attacks abortion clinic - September 30, 2000". 2012-10-19. Archived from the original on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  45. Back to citation "Priest who wrecked abortion clinic moved to Belvidere". 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  46. Back to citation Diocese of Rockford, official website

Bibliography

  • Kagan, David; Easton, Laurine M. (2007). History of the Diocese of Rockford. Strasbourg, France: Éditions du Signe. ISBN 978-2-7468-1816-3.
Retrieved from "https://catholicism.wiki/index.php?title=Diocese_of_Rockford&oldid=68308"