By Rayanne Bennett |Associate Publisher
and Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has been focused on his rehabilitation following surgery Dec. 29 in Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, Hamilton, to amputate his foot and lower left leg mid-way between the knee and ankle. The surgery became necessary to address several serious infections that Bishop O’Connell had been battling, arising from his diabetes.

Doctors have been pleased with the Bishop’s progress and he has taken on a rigorous, daily physical therapy schedule. He recently shared in an email that he is looking ahead to getting fitted with a prosthesis sometime in the coming weeks, and to fully complete his recovery in time to be able to lead and celebrate the ceremonies of Holy Week, depending on how things progress.

Bishop O’Connell will be fulfilling his administrative responsibilities personally during his rehabilitation with the usual support of his curia and episcopal secretary. Regarding his liturgical or ceremonial activities, Bishop O’Connell has an episcopal vicar in each of the Diocese’s four counties as well as a vicar general and a vicar for clergy, all of whom are able to represent him at Masses and ceremonies before Holy Week,  when he expects to resume a normal schedule.

Information announced by the Diocese about the Bishop’s surgery late in the evening Dec. 29 elicited a steady and sustained flow of prayers, emails, cards and social media posts, offering prayers for healing, get well wishes and expressions of love and appreciation.  The responses came in from every corner of the Diocese, and throughout the country, from people of all ages and some who were not Catholic but read about Bishop’s surgery in secular news reports.

Mass cards for healing were sent in by the dozens, as well as pledges from families, religious communities, priests, seminarians, deacons and their wives, students, and representatives of Catholic organizations, all committing to remembering the Bishop in prayer in one way or another – be it Adoration, reciting a decade of the Rosary each day, or going to daily Mass.

Words of encouragement and empathy were shared by people who had diabetes themselves, or who had a family member that was challenged by the same issues as the Bishop.  Health care professionals wrote in to convey their moral support as he faces the hard work of rehabilitation.

In message after message, people remembered seeing the Bishop at their parish, or in their school.  They recognized him for his keen focus on shepherding the youth and strengthening catechesis.  They expressed gratitude for his lived example to them. 

In the parishes, pastors kept their flocks informed and led parishioners’ worry into positive action.  “When our parish family heard about the Bishop’s surgery, everyone was shocked and saddened as he had just been at our parish in mid-December and shared he had finally gotten the brace off,” said Father Timothy Capewell, pastor of St. David the King Parish, West Windsor. He noted that not a day goes by that either he or a member of his staff doesn’t receive inquiries about the Bishop’s recovery.

Father Capewell shared that instead of collecting individual get well cards, the parish is putting together a book of good wishes that will also include Scripture verses and pictures.

“That way he can pick it up and browse through it as he feels better,” shared Father Capewell.

“Everyone is praying for a full recovery and look forward to his return to our parish in the future.”

Given the knowledge that people have about the effects and cure for diabetes, as well as the hopeful news being shared by the Diocese on the Bishop’s progress, Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, said that he and his community “are confident that our Bishop will be back to his regular form in due time.

“Bishop O’Connell may be a wounded warrior, but still a fighting warrior for the service of the Church and the glory of God,” said Father Alindogan. “We have seen him struggle through his pains and infections, but like the example of St. John Paul II, he moves on and beyond what and who he was called to be and to do.”

Father Jeffrey Lee, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, spoke of the “overwhelming concern” among  his parishioners about the Bishop’s condition.

“Once the press release was issued, there has been an increase in prayer requests as well as Mass intentions praying for His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop,” said Father Lee. “Those who have spoken to me express their support for all that Bishop O’Connell has been doing since his arrival to our Diocese. However, most have also expressed concern that the Bishop has not been as attentive to his own personal needs as he could be.”

“These insights show the concerns of our people for their Bishop,” said Father Lee. “It is my hope that these prayers and sentiments will continue to encourage Bishop O’Connell along the path of recovery.”

Reflecting on Bishop O’Connell’s visit to St. Rose Parish, Belmar, in October at which time he celebrated Mass for the parish’s 125th anniversary, Msgr. Edward Arnister, pastor, recalled Bishop O’Connell’s  “positive attitude.”

“And we know that attitude coupled with prayer will bring him healing and progress in his rehabilitation,” said Msgr. Arnister. “Bishop O’Connell has always prayed for others in the diocesan family and now it is our time to lift him up to the Lord in his time of need.”

We ask members of the community to continue to pray for Bishop O’Connell in the coming weeks and months, as he completes his recovery and rehabilitation. Anyone wishing to send a card or note may do so at the following address:

Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M.
The Chancery, Diocese of Trenton
701 Lawrenceville Rd.
Trenton, NJ 08648
Attn: Office of Communications
To send via email, write to [email protected]