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Mark O'Connell
Bishop of Albany
Bishop
1964
1990
Ordained
2016
Consecrated Bishop
Albany
Diocese
United States
Country
The Life
Mark W. O'Connell was born on June 25, 1964. Ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston in 1990, he became an auxiliary bishop of Boston in 2016.
He was appointed Bishop of Albany on October 20, 2025 and installed on December 5, 2025, succeeding Abp. Scharfenberger.
Major Works & Initiatives
Bishop of Albany (2025- )
A Boston priest and auxiliary bishop (2016), appointed to Albany on 20 October 2025 and installed on 5 December 2025.
In His Own Words
For too long we divided the people of God into those who teach and those who learn. Vatican II and the recent call to synodality have reminded us that every one of us is both learner and teacher,
Installation homily as 11th Bishop of Albany, St Edward the Confessor, Clifton Park, December 5, 2025; Mike Matvey, The Evangelist, via OSV NewsSo I call every person in these pews and connected by every means of communication: Discover your own unique calling in God's kingdom and, like St. Andrew, have the courage to proclaim your Messiah to all.
Installation homily, December 5, 2025, built on his motto 'Invenimus Messiam' - We have found the Messiah; The Evangelist via OSV NewsI wanted to be your bishop more than I can say, I just didn't know your name,
At his installation as Bishop of Albany, December 5, 2025, having come from Boston as an auxiliary; The Evangelist via OSV NewsYou may have noticed I cannot stop smiling today. It was the same at each of my three ordinations. I smile when I am happy, and I am happy when I know I am exactly where God wants me.
Installation homily, December 5, 2025; The Evangelist via OSV NewsThe Old Mass, See by See
Albany2025-12-05 – presentNo act of his own
1 site → 1 site
What he inheritedAbp. Scharfenberger's post-2023 Albany: the parish Traditional Latin Masses at Little Falls and Fort Ann on hold since February 2023, with only the independent Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine at Auriesville (non-parish, seasonal) continuing. No act of O'Connell's own on the old Mass has been published since his installation.
Since the SSPX decree of 2 July 2026: No statement recorded as of 2026-10-22.
Domus Dei’s Verdict
The Bishop & the Mass of Ages
He arrived in Albany in December 2025 with the diocese's parish Latin Masses already on hold since 2023 and only the Auriesville shrine continuing; no act of his own has been published.
References & Further Reading
1.
Mark William O'Connell - Catholic-HierarchyEpiscopal dates.
Portrait: Own work / Wikimedia Commons