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Henning blessed couples on archdiocese’s first Sunday

Harry November 4, 2024

Newly appointed Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston Richard Henning blessed and posed for photos with more than a hundred married couples at the archdiocese’s annual wedding anniversary Mass at the main church on the South Side Sunday afternoon.

The service was in many ways in keeping with longstanding tradition: A bishop prayed for couples, some of whom had been married for more than 50 years, under the stained glass and sweeping Gothic arches of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. But for Henning, it was a chance to make a first impression in his first days as Boston’s first new archbishop in more than 20 years.

“I am happy to praise God for his gift to couples celebrating the anniversary of their marriage sacrament. Faithful spouses are powerful witnesses of selfless love and serve as building blocks for the family of faith as well as their own families,” said Henning. “I am grateful to these couples for their gifts and congratulate them on their milestone anniversaries.”

Henning, 60, was appointed as the seventh archbishop of Boston in a ceremony at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on October 31. He was bishop of Providence before being appointed to succeed retiring Boston archbishop Sean O’Malley.

For East Walpole natives Terry and Ruth Hogan, the ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate 58 years of marriage and their first visit to Holy Cross. For a long time, St. Louis in Walpole. Although they were parishioners at St. Mary’s Church, they never met O’Malley during his tenure. They said Sunday’s visit left a strong impression; Ruth described the cathedral as “magnificent.”

“I had been reading about this for years and this was the first time I felt truly motivated to go,” Ruth said. “I am happy that the archbishop has new blood.”

Archbishop Richard Henning celebrated the annual Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, honoring 10, 25 and 50 years of marriage.

Pat Sera / Küre Staff

O’Malley led the Boston archdiocese for 21 years and presided over the fallout from the clergy abuse scandal, in which church leadership covered up widespread sexual abuse of children. The archdiocese has paid more than $175 million in compensation to victims, and O’Malley has opened official dialogue with survivors in an effort to restore eroding trust in the church.

These measures did not fully satisfy survivors’ advocates; They say they still face years-long delays in reaching settlements and accuse the church of perpetuating a culture of secrecy. In 2011, O’Malley released the names of 159 archdiocesan clergy accused of abuse; but did not disclose the names of the other 91 clergy, most of whom died or were dismissed before the allegations emerged.

The Boston facility is not the first time Henning has served a diocese with a legacy of sexual abuse. Before becoming Bishop of Providence, Henning was an auxiliary bishop in Rockville Center on Long Island, New York. While he was in office, the Rockville Center diocese filed for bankruptcy, sparking outrage from hundreds of survivors who recently regained the right to sue. New York’s Child Victims Act.

A years-long legal battle followed. Henning left for Providence in 2022, and the diocese reached a $323 million settlement with his survivors in September.