Writer mistaken about gift to bishop

A letter to the editor in the Schenectady Gazette on Sunday, Nov. 16, claims that religious leaders in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany were being asked for funds to purchase a gold tabernacle as a gift for incoming Bishop Mark O’Connell costing close to $50,000.

That is not true.

There was an effort to surprise Bishop O’Connell with a gift from priests and deacons in the diocese, but each was given the opportunity to contribute $40 of their own money, raising less than $5,000.

It is tradition for clergy to give a gift of some type to an incoming bishop to welcome him.

As stated, they were each asked if they would be willing........

© The Leader Herald