Statements and Documents - Office of the Bishop

Statement of the Bishops of South Dakota Regarding Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements

Aug 10, 2021 by wpadmin

We have recently received a significant number of inquiries from the faithful concerning general requirements for some persons to receive a Covid-19 vaccination.We addressed many moral aspects of choosing a vaccine in a statement on December 30, 2020. As we said then, one may accept Covid-19 vaccines in good conscience if certain conditions are met, but doing so is not a universal moral duty. We echoed the Vatican, which explained in a doctrinal note that “practical reason makes evident that vaccination is not, as a rule, a moral obligation.” Rather, with attention to the common good, the decision to receive a Covid-19 vaccination should be discerned in light of many factors, several of which we described in that statement.Now, recent inquiries from the faithful raise the corollary question of whether…

Preparing our Hearts to Receive God’s Love in the Blessed Sacrament

Statements and Documents

Jul 29, 2021 by wpadmin

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, During the June General Assembly meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), I sensed in prayer I should offer some comments on whether the U.S. bishops should draft a teaching on the Eucharist. Various bishops offered their thoughts, and voting results were 168-55 to authorize the drafting of a teaching document on the Eucharist, which could then be discussed at a future USCCB meeting. As your bishop, I thought it fitting to offer you some rationale regarding the comments I made at the USCCB General Assembly. As you may be aware, a 2019 Pew Research Center survey indicated only one-third of Catholics believe the Church’s teaching on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, that is, that the Eucharist is…

Dispensation Modification-March 27, 2021

Statements and Documents

Mar 11, 2021 by wpadmin

March 11, 2021 My beloved brothers and sisters, As your spiritual father and bishop, through consultation and ongoing research on the status of COVID, it has become clear to me that it is the appropriate time to remove the revised dispensation that I previously granted to Catholics over the age of 65 and/or with underlying health conditions related to COVID from fulfilling their obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation. This revision to the general dispensation to all Catholics was previously announced on August 10, 2020. Therefore, effective March 27, 2021, the Church’s obligation of Catholics to attend Sunday Mass weekly and Holy Days of Obligation is being reinstated for all Catholics in the Diocese of Sioux Falls. For Catholics who have serious reasons for not physically…

COVID Vaccinations: Must I, May I?

Joint Statements, Statements and Documents, Videos

Jan 05, 2021 by wpadmin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHsCSJh2FNU Bishop Donald DeGrood along with Bishop Peter Muhich of the diocese of Rapid City, have put together documentation on whether or not the current COVID vaccinations meet a standard of obligation or morality as a faithful catholic. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""] Joint Statement on COVID Vaccinations from the South Dakota Catholic Conference [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""] FAQ Documentation on the COVID Vaccines

Consecration Prayers for the Diocese of Sioux Falls

Statements and Documents

Dec 10, 2020 by wpadmin

Saturday, December 12, 2020 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe On December 12, 2020, Bishop DeGrood will be privately offering prayers of deliverance from evil over everyone and everything in our diocese. He is offering the prayers of deliverance so any evil influence will be removed, allowing everyone in our diocese to live in the freedom of God’s grace and love. As St. Paul reminds us, there is a spiritual battle raging around us: “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.” (Eph 6:12) As our bishop, Bishop DeGrood is a successor to the Apostles, and the Apostles handed on to the bishops the authority which they…

Statement of the Bishops of South Dakota Regarding recently reported remarks of the Holy Father

Joint Statements, Statements and Documents

Nov 03, 2020 by wpadmin

On October 21, 2020, media reported on a 20-second video clip from a Spanish-language documentary film about Pope Francis. In the film, the Holy Father was shown stating, as translated into English, “Homosexual people have a right to be part of a family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable because of it. What we have to create is a [convivencia civil]. That way they are legally covered.” Later reporting indicated this video was compiled from several separate segments in a 2019 interview the Holy Father gave to a Mexican journalist. This footage had never before been played publicly. Yesterday, we became aware of several clarifications offered at the direction of the Holy Father through his representatives…

Statement Regarding the Resignation of Bishop-elect Michel Mulloy

Statements and Documents

Sep 07, 2020 by wpadmin

The Diocese of Sioux Falls was recently notified of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor made against the Reverend Michel Mulloy, a priest who previously served in this diocese. The alleged abuse is said to have occurred in the 1980’s when Father Malloy was serving in the Diocese of Rapid City. The Diocese of Sioux Falls has no record of having received complaints or allegations regarding the conduct of Father Mulloy during his assigned ministry in the Diocese of Sioux Falls. When notifying the Diocese of the allegation, the Diocese of Rapid City confirmed that law enforcement had been contacted. Out of an abundance of caution and in fulfillment of our Sexual Misconduct Policy, the Diocese of Sioux Falls also notified lawenforcement of the allegation. Reverend Mulloy was…

Pastoral Letter on Sunday Mass Obligation

Statements and Documents, Videos

Aug 10, 2020 by wpadmin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DleCFrGGTEDear Faithful of the East River South Dakota (i.e. Diocese of Sioux Falls), Thankfully, the anticipated magnitude of the serious effects of COVID-19 have not been as extensive in South Dakota as was initially projected. These past months have caused hardship not only for those who have had serious effects from the virus and their families, but also for those who have been in isolation and health care workers. Also, I am mindful of those who attend to those who are vulnerable in their families. To varying degrees, I sense we have all been affected physically, psychologically and spiritually by the various measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus. Throughout this experience, I have kept close to mind the risk to those most vulnerable to harm and also my duty…

Mater Ecclesiae Monastery Announcement

Statements and Documents

Jul 17, 2020 by wpadmin

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Since my arrival in the Diocese of Sioux Falls, I have come to appreciate so many blessings within our Church in eastern South Dakota. One of those blessings is the dedication to prayer and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament through the Adoration Sisters at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery located near our cathedral these past 18 years. Sadly, I’ve been informed by Mother Caridad that, after prayerful discernment, the Adoration Sisters have decided to return to Mexico. For those of us who have come to know and love the Adoration Sisters, this is a great loss, but God has affirmed in my prayer that He has a wonderful plan for them and us. My hope and prayer for Mother and the Adoration Sisters was that God…

Plan for resuming public Mass once social distancing and hygiene practices are in place

Joint Statements

May 01, 2020 by wpadmin

JOINT STATEMENT: THE SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESES OF SIOUX FALLS AND RAPID CITY [caption id="attachment_48" align="alignleft" width="400"] Very Reverend Michel Mulloy & Bishop Donald E. DeGrood[/caption] May 1, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our decision on March 17, 2020 to suspend public Masses was made after much prayer, consultation, and after having reviewed the recommendations of public health authorities. This decision was focused on preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus especially for the most vulnerable. We know this extraordinary measure has been difficult for all the faithful. We are grateful for the acts of charity and expressed understanding that we have witnessed in our midst during this time. This makes us all the more pleased to bring you good spiritual news in this Easter…