+ Mark O'Connell

Today I have introduced a new YouTube series called, “Listening to Catholic Women” It is an exercise in synodality. I hope you enjoy it. @listeningtocatholicwomen?si=6GH1ZoFj2CIUSsGQ" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@listeningtoca… via @YouTube

A special night with Albany young adults.

Episcopal and Catholic bishops of Albany and our top officials.

We strongly support the statement of Archbishop Coakley and @usccb following the U.S. President’s attack on the Holy Father in a social media post last night.

“I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.” - Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, President, USCCB @ArchbishopOKC

Just over three years to the date after filing for Chapter 11 protection under the crush of nearly 440 Child Victims Act claims, the Diocese of Albany reached a $148 million settlement agreement with the survivors of sexual abuse by diocesan priests. bit.ly/4sbPPIK

Thank you to @rfkram for making his first visit to Holy Names. He was greeted with warm smiles and thoughtful questions from students. In addition to bestowing some wisdom, he was on the receiving end as well, learning the fine art of taking a ".5" photo with your cell phone.

Read Bishop Mark’s “Letter to the Faithful” after the news that the Diocese of Albany will pay $148 million to survivors of abuse by clergy and others. evangelist.org/news/2026/mar/… @RCDALife @RCDAmultimedia @NYSCatholicConf @OSVNews

Mourning the loss of Ann Carter, who taught me a lot about leadership and listening and being careful with choosing what I say and how I say it. If you want to see the full interview I did with this wise woman, it is clipped from here: youtu.be/Aj422XE6OaE?si…

@USCCB Thank you to Cardinal Pierre for being our Nuncio in a critical time. Welcome and prayers promised for Archbishop Caccia.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Titular Archbishop of Sepino, as the new Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Caccia, 68, has served as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations since 2019, and succeeds Cardinal Christophe Pierre, 80, who has held the post since 2016. Read the full statement at: ow.ly/bOl350Yqz8O

A few pics from my adventures in Albany

I am glad to see that the egregious post has been taken down. As my brother bishops and I have said in our pastoral letter against racism: “Every racist act—every such comment, every joke, every disparaging look as a reaction to the color of skin, ethnicity, or place of origin—is a failure to acknowledge another person as a brother or sister, created in the image of God.” - Bishop Daniel Garcia, Chairman, Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Cardinal Robert McElroy, and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin today issued a strongly worded statement measuring U.S. foreign policy against the principles set forth by Pope Leo XIV in his Jan. 9, 2026 address. rcan.org/cardinals-stat…

In a quick assessment of the Diocese of Albany, New York, where he was installed Dec. 5, Bishop Mark O'Connell said: "The priests seem healthy; there's lots of lay involvement; the churches look in good shape. I'm impressed." bit.ly/4pK7Z37

Hanging out with some of my new friends.

I gave the prayer for the beginning of the Senate year at the New York State Capital. evangelist.org/news/2026/jan/…

Bishop Mark O’Connell (@rfkram) of Albany was invited to the first day of the 2026 New York State legislative session, where he offered the opening prayer for the first session of the New York State Senate.

I was inspired by 11 year old Victoria. After Mass, I saw her there at the altar kneeling and so I knelt beside her and asked her what she was praying for; “Oh nothing really,” she said, “I just like to be close to Jesus.”