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Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
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Happening Now
The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Westside Medical Clinic is closed for now
Westside Free Medical Clinic is not designed to screen or test or treat for COVID-19. Appropriate protective gear is not available for the staff and volunteers and the available limited resources need to be in the hospitals at this time. Westside director Karen DiPippa said all the clinics have been postponed until they can safely reopen. Scheduled patients have all been contacted by phone to inform them of the postponement. Patients are being given a tentative appointment for rescheduling with the understanding that it is subject to change. No new patients are being accepted at this time. ... More
Bishop offers ways to celebrate Holy Week
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor mandated the suspension of all public Masses through April 15, which includes Holy Week and Easter. The Vatican's "Decree in the Time of COVID-19," released March 25, declared that since the date of Easter cannot be moved, "bishops and priests may celebrate the rites of Holy Week without the presence of the people and in a suitable place, avoiding concelebration and omitting the sign of peace." This means the laity are to celebrate the holiest week of the liturgical year at home. "The decree encourages pastors ... More
Make sure you're counted in 2020 census
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor supports the efforts of the 2020 census to count every person who lives in the United States. Every person living in your home needs to be counted. That includes children and newborn babies, citizens and noncitizens, relatives and nonrelatives and even those staying with you temporarily. Census data guides how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year for schools, health care facilities, roads and social services. Your responses to the census are safe and secure. ... More
Update: Catholic schools closed to April 17
UPDATE: Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic schools, announced March 19, 2020, that Catholic schools will now remain closed through April 17. This is an update to her previous letter below, issued on March 14, informing parents of the closure of all Catholic schools in Arkansas from March 16-30: "Dear Parents, In an effort to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us, the Catholic Schools Office, with approval from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, has decided to close all the Catholic schools beginning March 16 until ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes March 17
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments March 17, 2020, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Feb. 24: Rev. Arokiasamy Madhichetty Irudayaraj, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Fordyce. He remains pastor of St. Mary Church in Arkadelphia, and St. John the Baptist in Malvern; Rev. Joseph Marconi, appointed pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Fordyce. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Pine Bluff, Holy Cross Church in Sheridan, and St. Mary Church ... More
Bishop abuse reporting service launched
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, issued the following letter, March 16, 2020, about the creation of a third-party reporting system to specifically report and assess allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct with minors by bishops: "Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "Following guidance from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter, "Vos Estis Lux Mundi" ("You are the light of the world"), the bishops of the United States met this past fall to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church. The result of that meeting ... More
Catholic schools closed effective March 16
Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic schools, issued the following letter, March 14, 2020, to parents announcing the closure of all Catholic schools in Arkansas beginning March 16, 2020: "Dear Parents, In an effort to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us, the Catholic Schools Office, with approval from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, has decided to close all the Catholic schools beginning March 16 until March 30, 2020. In response to COVID-19, we are trying to be proactive rather than reactive. Accordingly, certain ... More
Bishop suspends Masses after March 21
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following letter, March 12, 2020, to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock about required changes in response to COVID-19. "As your bishop, I have an obligation to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us. In response to COVID-19, the Diocese of Little Rock is trying to be pro-active rather than reactive. Accordingly, certain measures must be put in place in an effort to “flatten the curve” such that the spike in COVID-19 cases is not too high, too fast, such that our healthcare ... More
