Sandra Laguerta, Religion & Ethics Editor

Bishop Emeritus John Michael D’Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend died last Sunday in Fort Wayne after a battle against cancer.  The beloved bishop was 80 years old, dying on the 56th anniversary of his first Mass.

Born in 1932 of Irish immigrants, Bishop D’Arcy began studying for the priesthood at the age of 17 in Brighton, Massachusetts.  He was ordained on February 2, 1957 in Boston, and from 1965-1968, D’Arcy studied spiritual theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum.  He earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology in 1968 and was a professor of spiritual theology and a spiritual director at Saint John’s Seminary for the next 17 years.

Before being installed as the 8th bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend in May 1985, Bishop D’Arcy was an active priest in the Diocese of Boston and was ordained an as an auxiliary bishop there in 1975.

In a eulogy at the Mass of Transferral in South Bend’s Saint Matthew’s Cathedral yesterday, Father Ed O’Brien, a priest from Connecticut and long-time friend of the late bishop, described Bishop D’Arcy’s tenure in the Archdiocese of Boston as courageous in the face of the sexual abuse crisis:  “When the scandals broke in Boston, he was almost a single voice crying in the wilderness, writing very direct, honest letters to the cardinal” against the reassignment of an accused priest.

Fr. O’Brien continued, “When the Freedom of Information Act got a hold of the letters, Bishop John Michael D’Arcy emerged as a hero across the country in taking a courageous stance almost alone, and by himself.”  Bishop D’Arcy’s bravery and steadfastness in the truth was also witnessed in Fort Wayne-South Bend: When initial reports of sexual scandals were being released, Bishop D’Arcy immediately held a press conference before anyone asked him to do so, and spoke and acted openly, honestly, and with transparency.

According to Fr. O’Brien, Bishop D’Arcy’s excellent efficacy as a bishop was rooted in his 10 years at a parochial assignment: “…first communions, weddings, counseling troubled kids, families in crisis…what a pastoral sense he had!”

Although Fr. O’Brien believed that Bishop D’Arcy was on the “fast-track,” Bishop D’Arcy loved his diocese of Fort Wayne-South so much that he wrote to the Apostolic Nuncio.  In his letter, Bishop D’Arcy wrote, “your Archbishop…I’m immensely happy here.  I love being with my priests.  I feel I relate to the people of this wonderful diocese and so, your Excellency, I earnestly and firmly request that I never be considered for promotion to another diocese.”

When Bishop D’Arcy met the Nuncio in Washington D.C. at the bishops’ conference, the nuncio immediately remembered his letter, the kind of letter which Fr. O’Brien does not think the nuncio receives often.  Fr. O’Brien described D’Arcy as “a humble, prayerful, Jesus [and] Gospel-centered man who rose to great heights.”

Before the final blessing at the Mass of Transferral, Bishop Kevin Rhoades, Bishop D’Arcy’s successor, also shared a few words after thanking the late bishop’s family for their presence, as well as for the presence of numerous bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful. Bishop D’Arcy is survived by two sisters and several nieces and nephews. Bishops from Boston, Joliet, and an Episcopal Bishop from the Diocese of Northern Indiana were in attendance, as well as religious superiors from the Congregation of Holy Cross and the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration, to name a few.

Bishop Rhoades comforted his sorrowful faithful by reminding them of the deep spiritual bond that still remains between the living and the dead, between them and Bishop D’Arcy. With great affection and admiration, Bishop Rhoades emphasized Bishop D’Arcy’s faithfulness, noting that Bishop D’Arcy took to heart the words said to him upon the reception of his episcopal ring at his ordination: “Receive this ring, the seal of fidelity: adorned with undefiled faith, preserve unblemished the bride of God, the Holy Church.”

“Bishop D’Arcy’s fidelity to his spouse, the Church, was unfailing.  He loved the people of our diocese with all his heart and poured out his life in self-giving service to his spouse in imitation of Jesus, the bridegroom, who gave his life for his Bride, the Church…A good shepherd after the heart of Christ, [he] poured out his life for love of his people until the very end. He offered his prayers and sufferings these past several weeks for the people of our diocese,” said Bishop Rhoades.

Fondly recalling celebrating Mass on the Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas with Bishop D’Arcy only a week earlier, during which time the late bishop began also to preach when Bishop Rhoades only stopped for a second mid-homily, the current bishop described the former as “always the wise teacher, reflecting with us on the Word of God even in his last days…and what he shared was more profound than anything I’ve ever said.”

Bishop Rhoades concluded, “Bishop D’Arcy kept watch as a good shepherd of his flock…always seeking the glory of God and the salvation of souls…He was always truly a man of God, a holy bishop. We have prayed this evening that he may receive the award of his labors: not another bishop’s mitre, but an unfailing crown of glory from the Lord. Thank you, Bishop John, for your witness of holiness and your example of fidelity. May Christ the good Shepherd welcome you in his presence and may you rejoice forever in the company of the saints in heaven.”

On Thursday, February 7, reception of the body and Morning Prayer will take place in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne. A Rosary will be prayed at 5:00PM, followed by Evening Prayer at 7:00PM. The Notre Dame community will also be offering a Mass for the late bishop in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 5:15PM.

Further visitation of the body will take place from 9:00AM to 11:30AM at the Cathedral in Fort Wayne, with the Funeral Mass at Noon. A reception will follow immediately at the Grand Wayne Center.

Sandra Laguerta believes that one of her most formative moments during her four years at Notre Dame was meeting Bishop D’Arcy at the Edith Stein Conference her freshman year. She is ever grateful for Bishop D’Arcy’s love and encouragement to stand strong in the faith, and thanks God for such a holy bishop. Email her at slaguert@nd.edu.