In May 2019, Pope Francis released his apostolic letter, “Vos estis lux mundi” (“You are the light of the world”) to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church. “Vos estis” calls upon the metropolitan archbishops to undertake the responsibilities for receiving and assessing reports involving bishops that pertain…
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Mandates From Bishop Medley
A few hours ago, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in order to free up federal resources to combat coronavirus, and this morning Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recommended that senior centers temporarily discontinue all in-person activities. This is a constantly evolving situation and the concerns across our diocese are very real. Therefore, as of…
Statement Regarding Suspension of Mass
All of us at the Diocese of Owensboro are very concerned about the health and safety of our parishioners and the broader community in light of the outbreak of COVID19 in the Commonwealth. We have communicated with pastors and those who assist them about our liturgical practices, including options for the sign of peace, hygiene…
Statement Regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019
Amid concerns of the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Diocese of Owensboro would like to take this time to share some information with our priests, parishioners, students, and staff. The diocese is closely monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Kentucky…
Diocese of Owensboro’s list of 2020 parish picnics now available online

BY WKC STAFF Parish picnics and cooking teams are a longstanding tradition in the Diocese of Owensboro. Parishioners and non-parishioners alike gather to celebrate great food, fun games and lively fellowship during the warmest months of the year. The Diocese of Owensboro parish picnics list is available in The Western Kentucky Catholic each year, and…
more: Diocese of Owensboro’s list of 2020 parish picnics now available online
Bishop Medley felt ‘the grace of the moment’ throughout his pastoral visit to India and Myanmar

BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC After returning from his Jan. 24-Feb. 13, 2020 pastoral visit to India and Myanmar (also known as Burma) with Fr. John Thomas, Bishop William F. Medley said the journey “gave me hope that the Gospel and the Church are thriving.”
Multilingual prayers, songs at vespers celebrating bishop’s 10th episcopal anniversary

Says he has seen diocese blessed by ‘continuing influx of new peoples’ BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC First sung by the cantor, and then repeated by the congregation, the refrain “Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever,” flowed through St. Stephen Cathedral during the vespers (evening prayer) service on Feb. 17,…
more: Multilingual prayers, songs at vespers celebrating bishop’s 10th episcopal anniversary
A Word From Bishop Medley: Can it be that God dwells on Earth?

Editor’s note: On Feb. 17, 2020, the Diocese of Owensboro gathered at St. Stephen Cathedral for a vespers service in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Bishop Medley’s episcopal ordination. The bishop’s homily, which he gave at the service, is reprinted below. “Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above…
more: A Word From Bishop Medley: Can it be that God dwells on Earth?
Parish music directors plan for ‘reverent, meaningful’ Triduum liturgies

BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC While Easter won’t arrive until April 12 this year, parish music directors are already preparing for what one music director calls “the most important week in the life of the Church” – the Triduum, which comprises Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
St. Joseph Monastery hosts relic, icon for Passionist tri-centennial

BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC An icon commissioned by the Passionist Fathers – along with a first-class relic of their founder, St. Paul of the Cross – has been traveling on pilgrimage around the world for the occasion of the Passionist congregation’s 300th anniversary.