Update: 3:40 p.m., 10/30/19
Bishop Richard G. Lennon, who led the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland for a decade during a time of parish closures and consolidation, died Tuesday morning, the diocese announced. He was 72.
Born in Arlington, Massachusetts, Lennon attended Boston College and was ordained a priest in 1973. He was ordained an auxiliary bishop in 2001 and served for several months as the apostolic administrator for the Archdiocese of Boston .
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Lennon to succeed Cleveland鈥檚 Bishop Anthony Pilla in 2006. Lennon retired in December 2016 .
鈥淚n his service to the diocese, Bishop Lennon showed a deep dedication to the faithful governance of the diocese and a tremendous love of the Church and the people he shepherded,鈥� Bishop Nelson J. Perez, Lennon鈥檚 successor, said in statement released by the diocese. 鈥淢ay the Lord grant him eternal rest.鈥�
In 2009, Lennon announced a parish consolidation plan that would close 50 Cleveland-area churches, citing dwindling populations and parish resources. After appeals, the Vatican ordered the reopening of 12 parishes.
鈥淒uring his episcopacy in Cleveland, Bishop Lennon established a vision for the diocese focusing upon evangelization with an emphasis on the Gospel,鈥� diocesan spokesman Deacon Jim Armstrong wrote in a Tuesday news release. 鈥淗e also determined that the presence of the Church remain in every setting where consolidation would reduce the number parishes.鈥�
The diocese said Lennon emphasized internal audits for parishes and diocesan schools and credited him for a $170 million capital campaign that funded parishes, Catholic schools, clergy retirement and other efforts.
A wake will begin with a vespers afternoon prayer service at 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland, according to the diocese. Bishop Nelson Perez will preside at the service and deliver a homily.
Lennon鈥檚 body will lie in state in the cathedral from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 5. The funeral Mass begins at 11 a.m.
His body will be interred in the cathedral鈥檚 Resurrection Chapel.
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