Rhode Island

Bishop who helped reenergize the Diocese of Providence will soon head to Boston • Rhode Island Current

Published

5 months ago

August 5, 2024

Bishop who helped reenergize the Diocese of Providence will soon head to Boston • Rhode Island Current

When the Most Rev. Richard Henning took over as bishop for the Diocese of Providence last year, many saw it as the start of a new era for the Catholic Church in Rhode Island. But now Henning is headed to Boston to become its next archbishop and try and replicate what he’s started in the Ocean State.

Henning, 59, will succeed Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, who is a close ally of Pope Francis.

“When I arrived in Rhode Island, I spoke about my delight in the state motto and the fact that I would now live in a state of hope,” said Henning, who first came to Providence from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, as coadjutor bishop in 2022, in a statement Monday.

“Having now visited communities across Rhode Island, I say with great certainty that it is you, the people of this beautiful state — you are that hope! I will never cease to pray for you, and I hope for your prayers for me.“

O’Malley has led the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston since 2003.

Henning will be formally installed as Boston’s seventh archbishop on Oct. 31. Until then, he will continue to oversee church operations in Providence, said diocese spokesperson Michael Kieloch.

The appointment of Henning’s successor at the Providence Diocese is solely up to the pope. If a replacement is not named by Halloween, the diocese’s College of Consultors would select a temporary apostolic administrator, Kieloch said.

“In terms of timing and timeline, that’s completely unknown,” Kieloch said. “It’s the sole prerogative of the Holy Father.”

A church in decline

Henning took the reins of the Providence Diocese last May after the retirement of Bishop Thomas Tobin. Unlike his predecessor, who used social media to share his unapologetic stance opposing abortion and same-sex marriage, Henning did not have a personal social media account.

Bishop in final act before stepping down, deletes Twitter account

During his short tenure, the now Boston archbishop-elect laid the groundwork for a more forward-thinking church in Rhode Island, Providence College Associate Professor of Theology Jim Keating said in an interview.

“He’s very impressive, it doesn’t in any way surprise me to see that the people making these decisions were not going to pass on him simply because they have just assigned him to Providence,” Keating said.

A new bishop, Keating said, can either be a manager in decline or someone who instead tries to build off the positives of the past to build up the diocese in a more evangelical way — which involves more baptisms, weddings, confirmations, and participating in the life of their parish.

“And I got the immediate impression from Bishop Henning that he was the latter,” he said. “He wanted to take a very clear-eyed view of the actual situation of New England Catholicism, which is very dire.”

Throughout the 20th century, the Catholic Church was seen as a place for many of New England’s new immigrants to find community. But after the 1970s, Keating said the dominance of the church started to erode.

“Of course, the huge crack was the Geoghan case and Cardinal (Bernard) Law’s handling of that,” he said, referring to the sexual abuse scandal surrounding a defrocked retired Boston area priest that rocked the church in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Pew Research reported in April that 20% of U.S. adults describe themselves as Catholics — down 4% from 2007. A declining population means less political swing.

“It used to be that the cardinal or archbishop would signal their opposition and legislation would die,” Keating said about Boston politics. “No one thinks about Massachusetts that way any longer.”

Still some political muscle to flex

Tobin’s hardline stances often generated outrage from liberal and left-leaning groups.

Archbishop-Elect Richard G. Henning, right, speaks at a joint press conference with Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, left, held Aug. 5, 2024, at the Archdiocese of Boston’s Pastoral Center to announce Henning’s appointment as the next Archbishop of Boston.
(Photo by Gregory L. Tracy/The Pilot)

“And he would almost always dial it back,” Keating said. “Which then raised the question: Why did you say something in the first place? Or why don’t you think before you talk?”

Henning, meanwhile, tries to stay out of politics — which he made clear when he spoke before reporters at a press conference Monday morning at the Pastoral Center in Braintree, Massachusetts.

“I will admit, I don’t know that I’ve ever been an activist — I’m not that exciting,” Henning said. “My stance in Providence has been that I’m a pastor, not a politician.”

He told reporters the Catholic Church does advocate for policy positions related to church teachings. Henning did weigh in on a few issues during the Rhode Island General Assembly 2024 legislative session, joining fellow faith leaders in supporting legislation mandating the safe storage of firearms and a failed push to ban assault weapons.

But Keating said the decision to support gun control was simply the church “swimming with the stream” on what has become a more popular stance.

“When it comes to abortion or the more hot stuff, it’s harder to see,” he said of vocal stances by church leaders.

During Monday’s press conference, Henning described himself as pro-life, but said he believes “every woman should have a full choice.”

“What I want to do is to help the Catholics, the faithful of this archdiocese form their consciences,” he said. “I certainly have opinions — I will vote as an American citizen. I will never tell you for whom I vote — I don’t belong to a party — that’s not my job to advocate for either side.”

I will admit, I don’t know that I’ve ever been an activist — I’m not that exciting. My stance in Providence has been that I’m a pastor, not a politician.

– Archbishop-Elect of Boston Richard Henning

If the Catholic Church wants to regain its influence, Keating said it needs to increase the number of parishioners who both know church teachings and can think about their political action.

That doesn’t happen unless the diocese can attract new members. Historically, Keaing said New England Catholicism has mostly relied on faith being part of a tradition passed from generation to generation. That might have worked in the 20th century, but over time, the region has become much more secular.

“The church can no longer rely on inherited faith, it has to have intentional faith and personal faith,” Keating said. “How do you do that? You have something attractive to offer.”

If anyone can accomplish that feat, Keating said, it’s Henning.

“He’s been meeting with people, talking, connecting with big players and trying to figure out what the diocese’s strengths and weaknesses were,” Keating said of Henning’s tenure in Rhode Island. “He’s energized things.”

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island Blood Center celebrates holiday season with giveaway for blood donors | ABC6

Published

4 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

This is a file image of a sign at a blood drive at the Rhode Island Blood Center. (WLNE)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Starting today, the Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) will be spreading holiday cheer with a special gift as a thank you for critically needed blood donations.

Donors will receive either a festive pair of socks or a beanie in an effort to encourage blood donations.

Courtesy of the Rhode Island Blood Center.

According to the RIBC, this time of year can be the most challenging for donations, as they can decline 20 to 30% during the last week of December.

RIBC said they encourage new and returning donors to schedule an appointment, and prioritize blood donation this holiday season.

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month.

The holiday promotion will be available from today until Tuesday, January 3 at all of RIBC’s donor centers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, you can visit the RIBC’s website or call 401.453.8383.

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island high school hockey schedules, scores and stats for Dec. 20-21

Published

8 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Rhode Island high school hockey schedules, scores and stats for Dec. 20-21

The Providence Journal is going to try something new this winter.

Readers swarmed to our weekly football scoreboard in the fall. The state’s football coaches did their part and submitted results to us, and we did our best to publish in a timely manner.

We want to do the same for hockey. We don’t know if it’ll work, but I really hope it does. The readership for hockey is strong and we think if this is done correctly, it will be successful. There’s probably going to be growing pains and it might take a bit to smooth out the kinks. But if done right, it will get hockey players in the paper weekly.

And if we get enough results, we can start publishing ballots for hockey athletes of week. Coaches have been asked to send results to pjsports@providencejournal.com after the games.

Now let’s get to the games from Dec. 20-21.

The top returning high school boys hockey players? Here are 30 players to watch this season

The top returning high school girls hockey players? Here are 14 players to watch this season.

Games are subject to change

Boys schedule

Friday’s Games

Portsmouth 2, Ponaganset 0

Friday night is a formula Portsmouth boys hockey could use for a repeat championship run.

A quick start, contributions from its second line and a shutout from a title-winning goalie showcased the Patriots’ first win of the season. After trudging through their opening games against Barrington and North Kingstown, the Patriots scored on their first power play vs. Ponaganset.

Chase Pascoe put Portsmouth up with 2:59 left in the first period and then the sophomore tallied again just eight seconds into the second period. Portsmouth’s 2-0 triumph at Levy Arena comes on the heels of an 8-5 defeat to Barrington and 5-2 loss to North Kingstown.

“We need him to produce,” senior captain, Shane Temple said of Pascoe. “That was amazing from him today. And honestly, we just have to play like we did last year – with some heart and grit.”

Pascoe was Portsmouth second leading scorer last year. The sophomore winger finished with 10 goals last winter and is well on his way to topping that mark.

“The first few games were rough,” Temple said. “I feel like we played teams that were just ahead of us at this time in the season. But in both games we lost, we came out really hot in the third period. And I feel like today we fixed that. We came out hot in the beginning of the game and we played the whole game today.”

Goalie Jonathan Cabral faced 27 shots in the win and grabbed his first shutout of the year. Portsmouth finished with 31 shots on net.

“We just need to do the same thing we did last year [to have another successful season],” Cabral said. “And that’s just putting in more effort. Last season we hit a little slump, and then once we started trying a lot more and put in a lot more effort, it came together.”

Barrington 6, Burrillville 2

Revenge came in the first week of the season for Barrington.

The Eagles were swept in the quarterfinals vs. Burrillville last year, but they already toppled the Broncos in their first in-state contest.

Burrillville’s Patrick Murphy redirected Cam Force’s shot for the game’s first goal just three minutes into the night cap of the doubleheader at Levy Arena. But Barrington responded with back-to-back goals in 45 seconds.

A Burrillville turnover in its defensive zone saw Henry Kelsey bury the tying goal off an assist from Joseph Carmone. The Eagles added their second when Austin McCarty found Trent Senn on the crease for a 2-1 lead with 5:03 left in the first period.

Force retied the match with a wrister, top left, with 59 seconds remaining in the opening frame, but that’s all Burrillville could manage.

Connor Hayes made it 3-2 with a goal off a rebound and Kelsey added his second with 5.3 seconds left in the second period. And then Senn and Kelsey finished the night with goals in the third period.

EG/Toll Gate 8, West Warwick/EWG 4

Pilgrim vs. Moses Brown at Thayer Arena, 3:45 p.m.

South Kingstown vs. Nariho at Boss Arena, 6:30 p.m.

RMT vs. North Kingstown at Boss Arena, 8:15 p.m.

Coventry/Johnston vs. Cumberland, ppd.

Smithfield vs. Hendricken, ppd.

Prout vs. La Salle at Smithfield, ppd.

Saturday’s Games

Barrington at New Canaan (CT), 2:30 p.m.

Bishop Guertin vs. Prout at Schneider Arena, 3 p.m.

RMT at Burrillville, 4 p.m.

Cranston vs. Ponaganset at Levy Arena, 6 p.m.

Blackstone vs. Lincoln at Route 146, 6:45 p.m.

La Salle vs. Hendricken at Thayer Arena, 7:45 p.m.

Pilgrim at Smithfield, 8 p.m.

Girls schedule

Friday’s Games

East Bay vs. Cranston at Cranston Veterans, 8:10 p.m.

SCMB vs. Warwick at Thayer Arena, ppd.

Saturday’s Games

South County at Longmeadow (MA), 2 p.m.

La Salle at Falmouth (MA), 6 p.m.

Sunday’s Game

South County vs. La Salle at Route 146, 4:35 p.m.

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Rhode Island

Vote: Who Was The Top Sophomore Football Player In Rhode Island Of 2024?

Published

16 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Vote: Who Was The Top Sophomore Football Player In Rhode Island Of 2024?

The 2024 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the last few months.

One of the big questions is what newcomers on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where sophomores that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.

That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top sophomore football player of 2024?

We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and once that voting is done, do a final poll including all the sophomores that won going head-to-head.

We’ve selected 14 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.

SBLive voting polls are intended to be a fun way to create fan engagement and express support for your favorite high school athletes and teams. Unless expressly noted, there are no awards for winning the voting. Our primary focus is to highlight the abilities and accomplishments of all the athletes and teams included in our poll. You can vote as often as you wish and are encouraged to share our polls with others. The use of voting bots and other forms of automated voting are not allowed. Individuals will be removed from the poll if any form of automated voting can be verified. – SBLive Sports

Voting closes on January 19th, 11:59pm

Here are the nominees:

The sophomore quarterback this season completed 126-of-216 passes for 2,015 yards and 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Brown has been the next signal caller next to Husereau that’s put up some significant yardage as a sophomore, throwing for 1,139 yards, 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Robertson played just about as well as any sophomore signal caller this past season and he’s got the numbers to prove it. The sophomore finished the season completing 57-of-126 passes for 836 yards and eight touchdowns.

Medina was superb out of the backfield for Woonsocket, rushing for 833 yards on 98 carries and scoring six touchdowns.

The Cranston West running back carried the rock 63 carries for 329 yards and a touchdown. Taylor is also averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Northup-Reed was assuredly one of the state’s top sophomore receivers this past season, hauling in 39 passes for 638 yards and scoring seven touchdowns.

The Broncos’ wide receiver was stellar through the air this fall, catching 29 passes for 547 yards and scoring six touchdowns.

Lora was one of the leaders among sophomores in receiving, catching 24 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns for the state champions.

Whether it was out of the backfield or catching the ball, Lynch was solid for North Smithfield. The sophomore rushed for 141 yards on 21 carries and then hauled in 21 passes for 295 and two touchdowns.

Cavalieri was a sure fire tackler for Mt. Hope, making 102 total tackles and a sack so far this season.

The East Greenwich linebacker had a solid season in the front seven, totaling 128 tackles and two going for a loss.

Not far off from Padula’s totals was Colucci out of the secondary, with the defensive back notching 114 tackles and picking off a pass.

The sophomore defensive back was among the leaders in the interception department, racking up three so far this season.

Tied for the lead in the interceptions department with Jackson was Nyahkoon, with the sophomore totaling three along with 22 tackles and four pass deflections.

Follow SBLive Rhode Island throughout the 2024 high school football season for Live Updates, the most up to date Schedules & Scores and complete coverage from the preseason through the state championships!

Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news.

To get live updates on your phone – as well as follow your favorite teams and top games – you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App

— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi

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