A Message from Archbishop Coyne

The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Beloved Church of Norwich, As you may know, on Tuesday, September 3rd, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, accepted the resignation of Bishop Cote, and appointed me to serve as Apostolic Administrator of Norwich until the arrival of your next Bishop. So let me begin by begging your prayers, both for our Bishop-emeritus as he begins a new phase of his life and ministry, and for me, as I undertake a mission that I didn’t expect.

Please know that this is not the first time that I have been asked to “shepherd” a diocese from one bishop to another.  My first assignment as a bishop was that of an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.  Sadly, very early on in my ministry there, the Archbishop at that time suffered a massive stroke which left him unable to function as the Ordinary.  Pope Benedict named me the Apostolic Administrator to serve to maintain the good health and works of the Archdiocese until the next Archbishop was named.  This I did for over seventeen months.  Hopefully, it won’t come close to being that long a term herein Norwich.

As it was Indianapolis and now here in Norwich, my role is basically to be a good steward who seeks to maintain the local church's good works, good health, and good faith.  I am to refrain from any innovation or significant policy decisions that would encumber the work of the next bishop.  That doesn’t mean that everything is on hold until he is named.  Obviously, there are day-to-day decisions that will be made.  Frankly, I see my work as continuing to let the Church do what she does – spread the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ in word, works, and worship.

I pledge myself to work with the clergy and staff of the Diocese in order to do so.  I am honored to serve you as an Apostolic Administrator.  I ask for your prayers for me and our work together.  Know that I hold you and your loved ones in my own prayers and that I am just as grateful for your fidelity and witness as God’s Holy People. With every blessing, I am,

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Christopher Coyne 

Metropolitan Archbishop of Hartford

Apostolic Administrator of Norwich