Synodal Catholic Diocese of the Southeast
Bishop Steven M. Rosczewski
Florida is unique in its peninsular geographic location at the extreme southeast corner of the nation. It is unique because of its population composition of former residents of northern states, people from Caribbean island nations and the heavy moral influence of evangelical and fundamentalist churches of the “Bible Belt.” It is unique in its Catholic experience as the first Catholic Mass was celebrated on future U.S. soil by Franciscan Friars at Pensacola, FL in 1559 and the first Catholic parish in the future U.S. was established in St. Augustine, FL in 1565. The Catholic religious experience of Florida has been deeply influenced by the missionary clergy from Ireland beginning in the 1940’s.
The communities of Florida met throughout the summer months of 2009, to explore and discern this step and enthusiastically agreed to move forward to establish a diocese as the best expression of local church. The rationale for such was the recognition of our deep relationship with one another, the ability to give greater witness together as a collective body of communities, and the need for a more visible and available ministry of a bishop to the communities.
The process began with the discernment of eligible members to the office and ministry of diocesan bishop and the formation of a committee to write a diocesan constitution. There was an initial call for election by popular acclaim, however, the wisdom of the delegates sought to rather follow a process of discernment, nomination, visitation and election. It was also discerned that the delegates of the House of Laity would undertake oversight for the process of discernment and actual election of a bishop among the local communities.
The period of discernment was publicly announced to the communities and their members in September 2009. All were asked to pray, discern and surface individuals willing to be candidates for the ministry of bishop to the communities of faith of Florida. Fr. Steven discerned he would be willing to serve the affected communities as a bishop. He was then asked to visit the communities, to be available to them, to answer any questions or concerns of the leaders and members of the Florida communities.
With the completion of the pastoral visits for inquiry and scrutiny, the members of the communities of Florida unanimously elected Rev. Steven M. Rosczewski as their “bishop-elect” on the weekend of November 21-22, 2009.
In the presence of the diocesan church, friends, supporters and his family, Bishop Steven was ordained to the Order of Bishop and installed as the first bishop of the Diocese of Florida, known now as the Synodal Catholic Diocese of the Southeast on Saturday, February 26, 2011.
Please, pray with us as we continue this journey together as Local Church in communion with our sisters and brothers of the Church universal.
The communities of Florida met throughout the summer months of 2009, to explore and discern this step and enthusiastically agreed to move forward to establish a diocese as the best expression of local church. The rationale for such was the recognition of our deep relationship with one another, the ability to give greater witness together as a collective body of communities, and the need for a more visible and available ministry of a bishop to the communities.
The process began with the discernment of eligible members to the office and ministry of diocesan bishop and the formation of a committee to write a diocesan constitution. There was an initial call for election by popular acclaim, however, the wisdom of the delegates sought to rather follow a process of discernment, nomination, visitation and election. It was also discerned that the delegates of the House of Laity would undertake oversight for the process of discernment and actual election of a bishop among the local communities.
The period of discernment was publicly announced to the communities and their members in September 2009. All were asked to pray, discern and surface individuals willing to be candidates for the ministry of bishop to the communities of faith of Florida. Fr. Steven discerned he would be willing to serve the affected communities as a bishop. He was then asked to visit the communities, to be available to them, to answer any questions or concerns of the leaders and members of the Florida communities.
With the completion of the pastoral visits for inquiry and scrutiny, the members of the communities of Florida unanimously elected Rev. Steven M. Rosczewski as their “bishop-elect” on the weekend of November 21-22, 2009.
In the presence of the diocesan church, friends, supporters and his family, Bishop Steven was ordained to the Order of Bishop and installed as the first bishop of the Diocese of Florida, known now as the Synodal Catholic Diocese of the Southeast on Saturday, February 26, 2011.
Please, pray with us as we continue this journey together as Local Church in communion with our sisters and brothers of the Church universal.
| Bishop Steven Rosczewski.Curriculum vitae.pdf |
| Apostolic Lines of Succession.Steven M. Rosczewski.pdf |
| Symbols of the Ministry of a Bishop.pdf |