Statements and Documents
Bishop Paul Swain’s Statements and Documents
The recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia saddens and shocks all people of good will. It also ought to prick our consciences. Racism, especially in this instance of white supremacy, is sinful. It is to be both rejected and condemned. Hateful and criminal violence is only its most extreme expression. Inherent in our Catholic faith is that all persons are created by God in His likeness and, therefore, are children of God. Every person in all our diversity is deserving of respect and the freedom to live lives of dignity and safety. As St. Paul reminds us: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male or female; for…
I write to inform you of a news story that was recently reported by the media about an anonymous letter concerning a non-Charter personnel matter involving a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls and local parish personnel more than two years ago. As you know, personnel matters pastorally and legally (civil and canonical) require confidentiality to protect all parties, those who in confidence bring forth complaints and those who are the subject of those complaints. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]View Letter
[icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]50th Jubilee Mother Marie Therese of the Child Jesus May 2017
A yearlong Jubilee in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima began on the first Sunday in Advent, November 27, 2016 and will continue until November 26, 2017. On May 13, the anniversary of the first apparition, Pope Francis will be on pilgrimage to Fatima and will raise to sainthood brother and sister Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the visionaries. During this graced time the Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence for those who fulfill the necessary conditions during this Jubilee year. “The plenary indulgence of the jubilee is granted: a) to the faithful who visit the Shrine of Fatima (in Portugal) in pilgrimage and devotedly participate in a celebration or prayer in honor of the Virgin Mary, pray the Our Father,…
The Chrism Mass raises up the priesthood as we recall when Our Lord instituted that holy order at the Last Supper. As we do so it is important to also recognize the essential role of permanent deacons, men and women religious and laity both professional and volunteer. We are one in Christ only with differing roles; different branches attached to the vine that is Christ expressed in His Church. Thank you to all who walk with and support one another. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]View Bishop's Chrism Mass Homily https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp6bODQfWBI
Below is the statement "Living as People of God in Unsettled Times", a pastoral reflection on immigration adopted by the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. I fully associate myself with it and urge it be shared and studied by all. It thoughtfully and beautifully encapsulates the teachings of the Church on immigration, and offers guidance on our appropriate response to the issues of the day, centered on the respect and dignity for all persons. I also refer you to my Bishops Bulletin column in the January 2017 issue. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]View USCCB Pastoral Reflection: Living As a People of God In Unsettled Times
It is a privilege to have this opportunity to share in this interfaith remembrance of the Four Chaplains. Sadly in our day history is not studied as it ought to be, both to learn from the successes and mistakes of the past and also to remember and honor those who went before in whose legacy we live. As you know I am a Vietnam Veteran having served as an Air Intelligence Officer at Tan Son Nhut airbase in Saigon with duty in IV Corps on the beautiful delta of the Mekong River. Thus I have a sense of the exuberance and the anxiety of military service as well as the practical realities and spiritual wonderings that come with such service. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]View Statement
We come together this Veterans Day to remember those living and dead who have sacrificed in defense of liberty and in loving concern for others and to remember those who supported them in and out of war zones. It is important we do so for three reasons, to honor them with grateful hearts, to learn from them about how to cope with the uncertainty that come with such service, and as a result to be inspired to look to the future with hope. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]View Statement
A Mass offered for legislators, court officials and legal professionals. We pray not only for those publicly known, but for all those who behind the scenes keep the political and legal systems functioning in an often unpredictable even chaotic world. We do so recognizing that freedom is a gift of the Creator and that a society that does not respect the Creator is one that will not long endure. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]View Homily https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Dg6ZDGvP8
On September 21, 2016, Reverend Joseph T. Forcelle was placed on leave after the Diocese of Sioux Falls received notice from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis that an allegation of child sexual abuse had been made against him. The alleged abuse took place while Father Forcelle was ministering in the Archdiocese. In accord with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Persons, Father Forcelle’s leave was standard procedure and is threefold in its purpose: to ensure the safety of all children, to allow for an impartial investigation to be undertaken, and to protect the rights of Father Forcelle as defined in both civil and Church law. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]View Statement
