Kenneth Anthony Angell
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Anthony Angell is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Burlington
from 1992 to 2005.
, Rhode Island
, to Henry and Mae (née Cooney) Angell. After attending public elementary school
s in East Providence
, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick
and at St. Mary's Seminary
in Baltimore
, Maryland
. Angell was ordained
to the priesthood
on May 26, 1957. He then served as parochial vicar
at St. Mark Church in Jamestown
and at Sacred Heart Church in Pawtucket
. After serving at St. Mary's Church
in Newport
, Angell then received his first pastor
ate at St. John's Church in Providence. From 1968 to 1972, he was assistant chancellor
of the Diocese of Providence
and secretary
to Bishop Russell McVinney
. He served as chancellor under Bishop Louis Edward Gelineau
from 1972 to 1974, and was raised to the rank of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness
in December 1972. He became vicar general
of the diocese in August 1974.
On August 9, 1974, Angell was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
of Providence and Titular Bishop
of Septimunicia by Pope Paul VI
. He received his episcopal consecration
on the following October 7 from Bishop Gelineau, with Archbishop John Francis Whealon and Bishop John Francis Hackett
serving as co-consecrators
, at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
. After nearly 20 years as an auxiliary in Providence, Angell was named the eighth Bishop of Burlington
, Vermont
, by Pope John Paul II
on October 6, 1992. He was installed
at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on November 9, 1992.
Faced with a shortage of priests
and decline in weekly Mass
attendance, Angell was forced to consolidate Sacred Heart and St. Francis de Sales in Bennington as well as St. Cecilia and St. Frances Cabrini in East Barre, and to close Our Lady of the Lake in . A strong opponent of same-sex marriage, he unsuccessfully campaigned against H.B. 847, which granted civil unions
to homosexual couples with the same rights and privileges accorded to married couples, in 2000. Speaking to the Vermont House of Representatives
, he said, "Do not let the court
or anybody else push you around. You have no duty, moral or constitutional
, to weaken the institution of marriage
. If the court thinks otherwise, then let the people overrule the court. This is the United States of America
. We are not ruled by king
s, whether on a throne or in the courtroom." In 2001 he wrote to the House to express his opposition to capital punishment
, saying, "We must not perpetuate the crime of murder by becoming a society that kills for retribution...We must not promote or justify a culture of vengeance. We cannot hope to teach that killing is wrong by killing."
His younger brother David Angell
, the Emmy Award
-winning creator and producer of Frasier
, and his wife Lynn died during the September 11 attacks aboard American Airlines Flight 11
. Later speaking of his loss, Angell said, "Our family was devastated, and yet in times of such crisis you get strength that's rather incredible. You don't really know where it comes from. It comes ultimately from God, but it comes through many people who are supportive. It comes from one's faith and the belief that the Lord takes care of us, and that his will must be done." In response to the invasion of Iraq
in March 2003, Angell declared, "Our hopes of avoiding war
were quashed today, but our prayers for peace will not end until this war does...We pray for the safety and deliverance of the innocent citizens in Iraq
, that they be protected from harm and freed from oppression
. We pray their terror will be of short duration and that their rewards will be a new country based on freedom and democratic
principles, supported by a united international community."
Angell received Salvatore Ronald Matano
as his coadjutor bishop
in April 2005. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, he submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI
in August 2005. After 13 years as Bishop of Burlington, his resignation was accepted on November 9 of that year.
battle over such allegations in the nation and later announced a $13.5 million settlement in 36 different lawsuit
s in 2002. In 1989 he promised to "take care of it" when a Providence priest, Rev. Normand Demers, was accused of misconduct with boys while working at a Haiti
an orphanage
; Demers was later brought back to work in the diocese. He testified in a 1990 lawsuit that he did not take allegations against another priest, Rev. William O'Connell, seriously. O'Connell was later convicted and served a short sentence before moving to New Jersey
, where he committed more crimes and died in prison.
During his tenure in Burlington
, records show Angell allowed six accused priests to remain in active ministry within Vermont. He refused to identify them publicly, but then gave their names to the State Attorney General
and placed them under suspension
. At a news conference in March 2005, Angell described the sexual abuse scandals as the most difficult challenge he faced during his time as bishop. He said, "People have been so shocked by all of this and it's a wonderful compliment to us really, in the sense that they expect so much more of us than anyone else and we shouldn't fail them. It's been very difficult and difficult for these priests too [who] have been in trouble. The victims first and foremost have my concern. After that I think of the priests how because of one, one little lapse or something, something terrible happened. I can't help but feel sorry for them. I decry what they did."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as Bishop of Burlington
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States, comprising the entire state of Vermont...
from 1992 to 2005.
Biography
One of three children, Kenneth Angell was born in ProvidenceProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, to Henry and Mae (née Cooney) Angell. After attending public elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s in East Providence
East Providence, Rhode Island
East Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 47,037 at the 2010 census, making it the fifth largest city in the state.-Geography:East Providence is located at ....
, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
and at St. Mary's Seminary
St. Mary's Seminary and University
St. Mary's Seminary and University is a Roman Catholic seminary in Baltimore, Maryland; it was the first seminary founded in the United States of America.-History:...
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Angell was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on May 26, 1957. He then served as parochial vicar
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Mark Church in Jamestown
Jamestown, Rhode Island
Jamestown is a town located in Newport County, Rhode Island, in the United States. The population was 5,405 at the 2010 census. Jamestown is situated almost entirely on Conanicut Island, the second largest island in Narragansett Bay.-History:...
and at Sacred Heart Church in Pawtucket
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
. After serving at St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Newport
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Newport is a historic church located at Newport, Charles County, Maryland. It was built about 1840, and converted for use as a parish hall in 1906. It is a rectangular brick structure, four bays in length and three bays wide. It is of simple architectural styling...
in Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, Angell then received his first pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
ate at St. John's Church in Providence. From 1968 to 1972, he was assistant chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
of the Diocese of Providence
Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. The diocese was erected by Pope Pius IX on February 17, 1872 and originally comprised the entire state of Rhode Island and the counties of Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in the state...
and secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
to Bishop Russell McVinney
Russell McVinney
Russell Joseph McVinney was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Providence from 1948 until his death in 1971.-Early life and education:...
. He served as chancellor under Bishop Louis Edward Gelineau
Louis Edward Gelineau
Louis Edward Gelineau is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Providence from 1972 to 1997.-Biography:...
from 1972 to 1974, and was raised to the rank of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
in December 1972. He became vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of the diocese in August 1974.
On August 9, 1974, Angell was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Providence and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Septimunicia by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on the following October 7 from Bishop Gelineau, with Archbishop John Francis Whealon and Bishop John Francis Hackett
John Francis Hackett
John Francis Hackett was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford from 1953 to 1986.-Biography:...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
, at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence
The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is a Roman Catholic cathedral at 30 Fenner Street in the Cathedral Square neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, United States. It is the mother church of the Diocese of Providence...
. After nearly 20 years as an auxiliary in Providence, Angell was named the eighth Bishop of Burlington
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States, comprising the entire state of Vermont...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on October 6, 1992. He was installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on November 9, 1992.
Faced with a shortage of priests
Priest shortage
A priest shortage is the situation of a reduced number of priests in religions, especially the Roman Catholic Church.In 2008, 49,631 parishes in the world had no resident priest pastor. While the number of Catholics in the world nearly doubled between 1970 and 2008, growing from 653 Million to...
and decline in weekly Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
attendance, Angell was forced to consolidate Sacred Heart and St. Francis de Sales in Bennington as well as St. Cecilia and St. Frances Cabrini in East Barre, and to close Our Lady of the Lake in . A strong opponent of same-sex marriage, he unsuccessfully campaigned against H.B. 847, which granted civil unions
Civil union in the United States
A civil union is a legally recognized union similar to marriage. Many people are critical of civil unions because they say they represent separate status unequal to marriage...
to homosexual couples with the same rights and privileges accorded to married couples, in 2000. Speaking to the Vermont House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
, he said, "Do not let the court
Vermont court system
The Vermont court system is the state court system of Vermont, charged with Vermont law. All officers are considered state employees, whether elected or appointed.-Vermont Constitution:...
or anybody else push you around. You have no duty, moral or constitutional
Constitution of Vermont
The Constitution of the State of Vermont is the fundamental body of law of the U.S. State of Vermont. It was adopted in 1793 following Vermont's admission to the Union in 1791 and is largely based upon the 1777 Constitution of Vermont which was ratified at Windsor in the Old Constitution House. At...
, to weaken the institution of marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
. If the court thinks otherwise, then let the people overrule the court. This is the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. We are not ruled by king
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
s, whether on a throne or in the courtroom." In 2001 he wrote to the House to express his opposition to capital punishment
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
, saying, "We must not perpetuate the crime of murder by becoming a society that kills for retribution...We must not promote or justify a culture of vengeance. We cannot hope to teach that killing is wrong by killing."
His younger brother David Angell
David Angell
David Lawrence Angell was an American producer of sitcoms. Angell won multiple Emmy Awards as the creator and executive producer, along with Peter Casey and David Lee, of the comedy series Frasier...
, the Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-winning creator and producer of Frasier
Frasier
Frasier is an American sitcom that was broadcast on NBC for eleven seasons, from September 16, 1993, to May 13, 2004. The program was created and produced by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee in association with Grammnet and Paramount Network Television.A spin-off of Cheers, Frasier stars...
, and his wife Lynn died during the September 11 attacks aboard American Airlines Flight 11
American Airlines Flight 11
American Airlines Flight 11 was American Airlines' daily scheduled morning transcontinental flight from Logan International Airport, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles International Airport, in Los Angeles, California...
. Later speaking of his loss, Angell said, "Our family was devastated, and yet in times of such crisis you get strength that's rather incredible. You don't really know where it comes from. It comes ultimately from God, but it comes through many people who are supportive. It comes from one's faith and the belief that the Lord takes care of us, and that his will must be done." In response to the invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
in March 2003, Angell declared, "Our hopes of avoiding war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
were quashed today, but our prayers for peace will not end until this war does...We pray for the safety and deliverance of the innocent citizens in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, that they be protected from harm and freed from oppression
Oppression
Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. It can also be defined as an act or instance of oppressing, the state of being oppressed, and the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, and...
. We pray their terror will be of short duration and that their rewards will be a new country based on freedom and democratic
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
principles, supported by a united international community."
Angell received Salvatore Ronald Matano
Salvatore Ronald Matano
Salvatore Ronald Matano is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who currently serves as Bishop of Burlington.-Biography:...
as his coadjutor bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
in April 2005. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, he submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
in August 2005. After 13 years as Bishop of Burlington, his resignation was accepted on November 9 of that year.
Sexual abuse scandals
Angell has been criticized for his management of sexual abuse allegations during his tenure in the Diocese of Providence, which experienced the longest legalLaw
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
battle over such allegations in the nation and later announced a $13.5 million settlement in 36 different lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
s in 2002. In 1989 he promised to "take care of it" when a Providence priest, Rev. Normand Demers, was accused of misconduct with boys while working at a Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
an orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
; Demers was later brought back to work in the diocese. He testified in a 1990 lawsuit that he did not take allegations against another priest, Rev. William O'Connell, seriously. O'Connell was later convicted and served a short sentence before moving to New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, where he committed more crimes and died in prison.
During his tenure in Burlington
Sexual abuse scandal in Burlington diocese
The sexual abuse scandal in Burlington diocese is a significant episode in the series of Catholic sex abuse cases in the United States. The court-documented cases covered abuse in the 1970s. The courts heard these cases from 2005 through 2010...
, records show Angell allowed six accused priests to remain in active ministry within Vermont. He refused to identify them publicly, but then gave their names to the State Attorney General
Vermont Attorney General
The Vermont Attorney General is one of five cabinet-level constitutional officers in the U.S. state of Vermont which are elected every two years. It was created by an act of the Vermont General Assembly in 1790, repealed in 1797, and revived in 1904. The office began as a one-person operation...
and placed them under suspension
Suspension (punishment)
Suspension is a form of punishment that people receive for violating rules and regulations.- Workplace :Suspension is a common practice in the workplace for being in violation of an organization's policy...
. At a news conference in March 2005, Angell described the sexual abuse scandals as the most difficult challenge he faced during his time as bishop. He said, "People have been so shocked by all of this and it's a wonderful compliment to us really, in the sense that they expect so much more of us than anyone else and we shouldn't fail them. It's been very difficult and difficult for these priests too [who] have been in trouble. The victims first and foremost have my concern. After that I think of the priests how because of one, one little lapse or something, something terrible happened. I can't help but feel sorry for them. I decry what they did."