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Diocese

News Statements & Pastoral Letters

News statements and pastoral letters are released to the faithful of the Diocese of Fort Worth, and general public regularly regarding important events, policies and other official matters. Below are current and past news statements and pastoral letters. For more information, please contact Diocesan Communications Director.

Click on the sections below to expand them and view more information.

2022-2023

2023

2022

12-31-2022
Statement and Request for Prayers at The Death of Pope Benedict XVI

English | Español | Vietnamese

12-13-2022
Statement on Community Response to Issues Surrounding the Trial of Aaron Dean for the Murder of Atatiana Jefferson

9-16-2022
Statement on St. John the Apostle Catholic School being named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School

8-1-2022
Statement on Establishment of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish

English | Español

6-24-2022
Statement on The Supreme Court’s Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

5-6-2022
Call for Peace and Vigilance at Mass by the Diocese of Fort Worth

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

4-13-2022
Bishop Michael Olson joins Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville to request district attorney stop execution for Melissa Lucio

3-23-2022
Statement on Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and praying for peace

3-5-2022
Pastoral Letter Regarding Changes to Current COVID-19 Protocols for the Celebration of Mass

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

1-13-2022
Pastoral Letter Regarding COVID-19 Omicron, Flu Season, and Continued Safety Protocols

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

2021-2020

2021

9-28-2021
Pastoral Letter Regarding Proposed Mandates and Religious Exemptions for Covid-19 Vaccinations and a Proper Formation of Conscience

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

8-20-2021
Pastoral Letter Regarding Continued Safety Protocols and Renewed Vigilance

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

5-31-2021
Pastoral Letter Regarding Support for Hyde Amendment Protecting Americans from Funding Abortion

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

5-20-2021
Pastoral Letter Regarding Alteration of Protocols, Guidelines, and Other Liturgical Celebrations

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

3-4-2021
Pastoral Letter Regarding Gov. Abbott's Executive Order and Maintaining of Current Protocols

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

2-12-2021
Statement Regarding the Death of Father Stephen Jasso, TOR

English | Spanish

1-6-2021
Statement Regarding Regarding Disruption of Certification of Presidential Election at U.S. Capitol

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

2020

12-14-2020
Statement to USCCB Addressing Ethical Concerns on The New Covid-19 Vaccines

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

12-2-2020
Statement Regarding the Moral Permissibility of The Use of The Recently Released Vaccines for Covid-19

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

11-10-2020
Statement on McCarrick Report

English | Spanish

11-8-2020
Statement Regarding the Presidential Election

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

10-21-2020
Statement regarding Pope Francis’ comments recorded in the film Francesco

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

9-25-2020
Pastoral letter regarding updated protocols, COVID-19 pandemic, and coming flu season

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

9-18-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding Any Possible Invalid Baptisms

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

9-4-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding A Day of Prayer

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

6-26-2020
Statement Regarding the Clarification of Covid-19 Protocols

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

6-18-2020
Statement Regarding Supreme Court DACA Decision

6-13-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding Church Teaching on the Sin of Racism

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

5-21-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding Second Phase of Public Masses

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

4-29-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding Beginning Public Masses

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

4-17-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding the Return to Public Masses

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

4-2-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding Gov. Abbott and Mass

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

3-28-2020
Pastoral Letter to Priests of the Diocese of Fort Worth

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

3-24-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding COVID-19 and Three Special Plenary Indulgences

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

3-19-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding New Additional Liturgical Adaptations

English | Spanish | Vietnamese

3-18-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding Coronavirus Updates

English | Spanish

3-13-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding Coronavirus Updated Protocols

English | Spanish

3-12-2020
Pastoral Letter Regarding Coronavirus

English | Spanish

2-17-2020
Statement Regarding New Director of Security

1-28-2020
Pastoral Letter to the Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Religious, and the Baptized Faithful

English | Spanish

1-28-2020
Statement Regarding Father Richard Kirkham Dropping Two Baseless Lawsuits

1-23-2020
Statement from Bishop Michael Olson Regarding His Ad Limina Visit

1-10-2020
Statement Regarding Governor Abbott’s Decision to No Longer Allow Refugees to Resettle into Texas

1-2-2020
Statement Offering to Assist the Family of Baby Tinslee Lewis In Seeking Compassionate and Appropriate Care

2019-2018

2019

10-16-2019
Fort Worth Diocese Respect Life Mass to Be Celebrated on Feast Day of the Saint for Unborn

8-26-2019
Statement Confirms Alleged Apparitions of “Mystical Rose–Our Lady of Argyle” are Fabricated

English
Spanish

8-26-2019
Pastoral Letter to All Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, Religious Women and Men, and All Lay Faithful

English
Spanish

8-8-2019
Statement Regarding Alleged Apparitions

7-19-2019
Pastoral Letter to All Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, Religious Women and Men and All the Lay Faithful

English
Spanish

7-1-2019
Statement by the Diocese of Fort Worth regarding Father Richard Kirkham

5-9-2019
Statement Regarding Pope Francis’s Motu Proprio Ordering Worldwide Response to the Evil of Sexual Abuse

5-1-2019
Statement Opposing Texas Legislation Destructive to the Least Among us: The Poor and the Working Poor

3-21-2019
Continued effort to strengthen the safety posture at our parishes and schools

English | Spanish

2-27-2019
Statement Regarding Conviction of a Volunteer for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

2-16-2019
Pastoral Letter Regarding the Laicization of Theodore E. McCarrick

1-31-2019
Pastoral Letter Regarding the Release of Names by Other Texas Dioceses and Why the Diocese of Fort Worth Has Made Public...

English / Spanish

2018

12-15-2018
Pastoral Letter Addressing Recent Decisions

English / Spanish

11-5-2018
Statement regarding Father Genaro Mayorga Reyes

11-5-2018
Statement regarding Father Gary Picou

11-5-2018
Statement regarding Father Jeff Poirot

10-10-2018
Letter to the Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Religious, and the Baptized Faithful from Bishop Michael F. Olson...

English / Spanish

9-20-2018
Statement on the Administrative Committee of the USCCB Plan of Action

English / Spanish

8-16-2018
Statement on USCCB’s Effort to Address Sexual Abuse by Clergy

English / Spanish

8-14-2018
Statement on the Release of Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report Regarding Sexual Abuse Claims

English / Spanish

7-28-2018
Letter to the Faithful of the Diocese of Fort Worth Regarding Former Cardinal McCarrick and the Protection of Minors and the Vulnerable in the Diocese of Fort Worth

English / Spanish

6-20-2018
Statement on the Executive Order Allowing Family at the U.S. / Mexico Border to Remain Together

English / Spanish

6-19-2018
Statement on the Use of Family Separation at the U.S. / Mexico Border

English / Spanish

5-18-2018
Statement on Santa Fe High School Shooting

3-28-2018
Statement Commemorating 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of the Rev. Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.

2-22-2018
Message from Diocese on Lenten Action for Dreamers: Congressional Call in Campaign

2-20-2018
Joint Statement of TCCB, Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth

1-10-2018
Liturgy Adaptions and Restrictions during the Flu Season

2017-2016

2017

11-6-2017
Bishop Statement on Sutherland Springs Shooting

8-28-2017
Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund Special Collection

6-19-2017
Synod 2018: Young People, Faith, Vocational Discernment

5-8-2017
Bishop Statement on Anti-Sanctuary Cities Legislation

4-6-2017
Bishop Appoints New President of Nolan Catholic High School

2-2-2017
Pastoral Letter on Moratorium on Refugee Admittance

English / Spanish

2016

9-14-2016
Statement on Ads by Catholics for Choice

English / Spanish

7-8-2016
Statement on Dallas Attacks

6-27-2016
Statement on Supreme Court Abortion Clinic Ruling

6-7-2016
Statement on Proposed Federal Predatory Lending Rules

3-4-2016
Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School to Transition to Cristo Rey College Prep High School

2015-2014

2015

12-16-2015
Bishop Olson Congratulates Dallas Diocese Bishop-elect Kelly

11-24-2015
Our Mother of Mercy Church principal church for Year of Mercy Celebration

11-17-2015
Statement Regarding Terrorist Attacks in Paris and the Plight of Refugees

7-1-2015
Pastoral Letter Regarding U.S. Supreme Court Decision

English / Spanish

5-4-2015
Statement on Serving the Homeless in the Fort Worth Area

1-30-2015
Bishop Olson Erects New Parish

English / English

1-2-2015
Bishop Forms New Parish

2014

12-22-2014
Statement on the Opening of the South Texas Detention Facility

11-21-2014
Statement on Federal Immigration Action

10-15-2014
Liturgical Adaptation (Regarding The Flu and Communicable Diseases)

8-22-2014
Statement on ALS Association Bucket Challenge

8-8-2014
Statement Regarding Ecclesia Dei’s Closing of Fisher More College Matter

English / Spanish

7-10-2014
Pastoral Letter on Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors Crisis

English / Spanish

6-30-2014
Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Hobby Lobby Suit

6-16-2014
Funeral Services Set for Bishop Olson’s Mother

4-17-2014
Marianists Departing Nolan Catholic High School

3-7-2014
Statement Regarding Settlement of Claims Against the Diocese Involving James Reilly

1-15-2014
Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Berg Named New Bishop of Pueblo Diocese

2013-2012

2013

11-19-2013
Rev. Msgr. Michael F. Olson Named New Bishop of Fort Worth Diocese

English / Spanish

5-1-2013
Lowering Age Limit for Single-Dose Emergency Contraception Irresponsible, a Disappointment, Says Bishops' Pro-Life Spokesperson

4-18-2013
Statement by Diocesan Administrator on West Explosion

4-15-2013
Diocese of Fort Worth Settles Claim Involving James Reilly

3-13-2013
Statement by Diocesan Administrator on the Election of Pope Francis

English / Spanish

2-11-2013
Statement by Diocesan Administrator on Pope Benedict’s XVI Resignation

English / Spanish

2012

12-13-2012
Msgr. Berg Selected Fort Worth Diocese’s Diocesan Administrator

9-21-2012
Settlement of Claims Regarding Rev. William Paiz, CMF

2-11-2013
Bishop Kevin Vann on Appointment As Fourth Bishop of Diocese of Orange

English / Spanish / Vietnamese

6-15-2012
Bishop Urges Faithful to Observe "Fortnight for Freedom"

6-14-2012
Statement Regarding Settlement of Claims Against the Diocese Involving James Reilly

6-14-2012
Diocese of Fort Worth Statement Regarding Religious Freedom Lawsuit

English / Spanish

Lawsuit Background
Filed Lawsuit / English / Spanish

2-15-2012
Statement to Contact Elected Officials

English / Spanish

1-27-2012
Bishops Call for First Amendment to be Upheld in Latest HHS Ruling

English / Spanish / Vietnamese

1-27-2012
Statement Regarding Fr. Joseph Tu Nguyen

English / Spanish / Vietnamese

2011-2010

2011

12-5-2011
Largest U.S. Catholic Vietnamese Church Dedication Set in Arlington

11-15-2011
Bishop Kevin Vann Named Ecclesiastical Delegate for Pastoral Provision

10-24-2011
Bishop Announces Papal Honors to 16 Outstanding Members of Diocese

English / Spanish

9-23-2011
Fort Worth Anglicans to be Received into the Catholic Church

6-9-2011
Statement on Victim Assistance Ministry and Safe Environment Training

English / Spanish

4-7-2011
Statement on the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

English / Spanish

2010

7-2-2010
Statement Regarding Settlement of Claim Against the Diocese Involving Rudy Renteria

4-9-2010
Bishop on the Appointment of Archbishop Gomez as Coadjutor in Los Angeles

2009-2008

2009

12-11-2009
Statement on Nguyen Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

10-26-2009
Guidelines to All Parishes In Order To Help Mitigate the Effects of the Flu

2008

10-8-2008
Joint Respect Life Statement from Bishop Vann and Bishop Farrell

English / Spanish

9-15-2008
Follow Up News Release: Two Additional Credible Accusations of Sexual Abuse

9-8-2008
Credible 1978 Sexual Abuse of Minor by Deceased Priest Is Investigated by Fort Worth Catholic Diocese

8-13-2008
Magaldi Passes Away

8-8-2008
Bishop Announces Plans for Spiritual Renewal To Commemorate Diocese of Fort Worth’s 40th Anniversary

8-8-2008
Bishop Extends Condolences to Victims of Bus Crash

6-23-2008
Statement Regarding Settlement of Claim Against the Diocese Involving James Reilly

5-10-2008
Father Michal Olson Appointed New Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary

2-15-2008
Statement Regarding Settlement Agreement of a Third Lawsuit Against the Diocese Involving Thomas Teczar

2-14-2008
Magaldi Confirms He Is HIV Positive

2-10-2008
Bishop Kevin Vann Book on Marriage Set for Release

2007-2006

2007

12-20-2007
Statement Regarding Settlement Agreement of a Lawsuit Against the Diocese Involving Thomas Teczar

10-18-2007
Statement On Galveston-Houston Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo’s Elevation to Cardinal

9-20-2007
Statement on Removal of Pastor at Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church in Arlington

5-18-2007
Teacher Fired for Improper Conduct with a Minor Six Years Ago While Serving as a Youth Minister

4-4-2007
Statement on Sexually Abuse Lawsuits

3-5-2007
Texas Catholic Bishops Statement on the HPV Vaccine Mandate

2-7-2007
Update of Recent Activity Regarding Allegations and Responses

2006

12-14-2006
Fr. Gil Pansza Removed From Ministry

English / Spanish

11-29-2006
Press Conference on Release of Cleric Files

11-22-2006
Bishop Comments On Settlement with 11 Victims and the Upcoming Release of Accused Priests’ Files

8-11-2006
Diocese Will Not Appeal Court Ruling to Release Accused Priests’ Personnel Files

English / Spanish

8-11-2006
Opening Statement by Bishop Concerning July 25th Order of Tarrant County District Court Judge Len Wade

8-10-2006
Media Backgrounder II: Safe Environment Training Program

English / Spanish

8-10-2006
Media Backgrounder I: Names of Priests and Their Status

English / Spanish

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Contacts:

Pat Svacina
Director of Communications
817-945-9420, 817-996-9609 (Cell)

Rosa Rosales
Administrative Assistant
817-945-9424

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