Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre
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The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre (Latin: Dioecesis Petropolitana in Insula Longa) is comprised of the territory of Nassau and Suffolk counties (regionally known as Long Island) in New York state, USA. Founded in 1957, this diocese was created from territory that once belonged to the Diocese of Brooklyn. The diocese currently serves almost 1.5 million Catholics. The Most Reverend William Murphy has served as the diocese's fourth bishop since 2001. Murphy arrived on Long Island from his native Archdiocese of Boston, where he served under Cardinal Bernard Francis Law as the archdiocese's vicar general. The diocese is named for the village where its cathedral, St. Agnes Cathedral, is located, Rockville Centre in Nassau County.
[edit] History
Most Reverend Walter P. Kellenberg served as first bishop of the diocese from 1957-1976. Kellenberg was followed by Bishop John McGann, who retired in 2000 and died in 2002. The diocese was led briefly by Bishop James T. McHugh, who died of cancer on December 10, 2000.
[edit] Ordinaries
The following is a list of the Roman Catholic Bishops of the Diocese of Rockville Centre (and their terms of service)
- Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg (1957-1976)
- Bishop John R. McGann (1976-2000)
- Bishop James T. McHugh (2000-2000)
- Bishop William F. Murphy (2001-present)
