During the four years Bishop Robert J. McClory has led the Diocese of Gary, he has guided Catholics in Northwest Indiana in matters of health, faith and spirituality. With a focus on the Eucharist and missionary discipleship, the bishop continues to spread the message that Jesus is Lord and to trust in Him.
The Coronavirus Pandemic
Bishop McClory was installed as the 5th Bishop of Gary on Feb. 11, 2020. A month later the COVID-19 virus created concern among the public, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines delayed the new shepherd from visiting parishes and being physically among the faithful.
A key group of diocesan leaders joined the bishop for online meetings every morning at 8:15 a.m. throughout the pandemic. Kelly Venegas, chief human resources officer, recalled during one of these meetings, at the height of the pandemic, the team was discussing recent information released from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
“Bishop McClory shared that he had read the Executive Proclamation that was released the night before and shared the salient points with the team and what it might mean for our respective disciplines. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, he is unlike any bishop I have ever met!’ We were abundantly blessed to have him as our bishop during this crisis.”
Venegas added she felt Bishop McClory was “amazing; organized, focused and mindful of everyone’s well-being throughout the process.”
Michael Wick was the diocesan chief of staff in 2020. He also felt Bishop McClory handled the pandemic well both spiritually and practically.
“What stood out to me was his incredible administrative skills,” Wick said. “He had been at the Archdiocese of Detroit as victor general, chancellor, moderator of the curia and in these various roles, he learned very well how to handle such crises.”
Wick said he watched Bishop McClory remain proactive rather than reactive during this time. He established a $1 million COVID relief fund by instructing the diocesan finance department to work with the Lily Foundation and earmark funds that could be used for parishes to purchase equipment needed to livestream liturgies on the internet and keep their congregations connected.
“In those early days when we couldn’t do anything, unbeknownst to anyone else, he would take personal pilgrimages and drive to parishes, park in the parking lot and just pray. In a sense, he wanted to connect with them, although he couldn’t do it with the congregation physically present, he did it spiritually,” said Wick.
Synod on Synodality
The Diocese of Gary underwent a diocesan synod in 2017 led by then-Bishop of Gary Donald J. Hying. When Pope Francis announced a global Synod on Synodality in 2021, Bishop McClory was eager to use the opportunity to invigorate the fruits of the 2017 Diocese of Gary synod. The three-year process of listening sessions took place in different locations throughout the diocese and included varied groups from the pastoral council to young adults. Bishop McClory began with a task force that facilitated similar listening sessions but with a narrowed focus to reflect the signs of the times, especially, how the Church must navigate in a post-COVID-19 context.
Deacon Dan Lowery, who now resides within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, said Bishop McClory’s approach to the synod was unique in two respects. First, it shifted the responsibility for developing implementation strategies and plans to the individual parishes of the Gary Diocese.
“This had the effect of ‘extending’ the synod’s reach and impact far beyond the timetable established for dioceses across the country,” he said. “In this sense, the synod developed under Bishop McClory’s leadership complemented the approach employed in the synod developed under Bishop Hying.”
Second, Bishop McClory wrote his first pastoral letter on the several themes that emerged from the synod process.
“His pastoral letter on missionary discipleship has provided a theologically rich foundation for parishes to reflect upon as they’ve developed their own parish-centric synod plans,” he said. “More importantly, perhaps, Bishop McClory’s pastoral letter has clearly animated the first several years of his episcopacy.”
The diocese’s current synod coordinator, Matt Kresich, feels all the faithful’s input is valuable and a crucial part of spreading the Good News. He pointed out that the beginning of the Synod on Synodality began fairly close to the bishop's ordination. As opportunities for synodal participation developed, Bishop McClory was able to use these processes to establish a vision for the diocese, walking closely with the people he shepherds.
“This was evident in our diocesan gathering in October 2021, his pastoral letter released in February of 2022, and now with this most recent round of listening sessions,” Kresich said. “As we continue to understand what it means to be a listening Church, the journey of synodality has already shown a fruitful expression of involving the whole Church.”
Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
The ruling delivered by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022 recognized that there is no constitutional right to abortion, overturning the decision of Roe v. Wade. Bishop McClory called it “a landmark decision, answering many prayers in the ongoing effort to protect the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.”
In a letter to the faithful, he stated, “We are very encouraged by the decision, as it moves us forward in building a culture that respects and values all life. This issue will now primarily be decided at the state level with ongoing federal action as well. Therefore, while we are grateful for this progress, we must remain steadfastly committed to cultivating communities that serve the needs of all people”
He encouraged Catholics in collaboration with local service agencies, to provide women, couples, and families with resources to assist them when they are most vulnerable. He recommended putting greater energy into advancing even more resources to support women facing challenging pregnancies – both before and after birth.
“This is an important time to examine our efforts to accompany women and couples who are facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies, as well as how we offer mercy to those suffering from abortion,” said Bishop McClory
Father Rick Holy, diocesan pro-life director, continues to promote the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Walking with Moms” as referenced by the bishop as a favorable addition to parish plans for reaching those on the margins, or to build on ways parishes can love and care for moms (and dads).
“Bishop McClory has been a strong advocate for the dignity and sanctity of human life,
and has always supported the endeavors and initiatives of the Office of Pro-Life Activities in the diocese,” Father Holy said.
Eucharist Revival
This summer diocesan faithful will attend a National Eucharist Congress in Indianapolis. This is the fFirst National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years and is expected to attract tens of thousands of laypeople, clergy and religious to Lucas Oil Stadium in the state’s capital on July 17–21. Bishop McClory encourages those who have note already registered for the Congress to consider joining the Diocese of Gary for a one-day trip (with bus transportation) to the Congress on Saturday, July 20. To register, the faithful can visit dcgary.org/2024Congress.
“Joining together in such a large and festive setting brings to life our faith. Being encouraged by our brothers and sisters helps us know that we are not alone in our love for our Eucharistic Lord,” said Bishop McClory.
The Summer of Eucharist Revival will celebrate the gift of our Eucharistic Lord throughout the diocese over the summer months with opportunities for the faithful to experience the eucharistic miracles exhibit, explore adoration chapels and join in small group sessions. For more details, visit dcgary.org/2024Revival.
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory blesses Mary and Jake Neary during a visit to Sacred Heart Church in LaPorte on March 5, 2020. (Bob Wellinski photo)