The Most Rev. Michael A. Saltarelli, D.D., bishop emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, passed away early this morning from cancer.
He was 77 years old.
Bishop W. Francis Malooly will preside over a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington, and he will preside over several other Masses on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Saltarelli's internment.
Saltarelli served as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington, which encompasses the state of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, from Nov., 1995 until July, 2008.
“Bishop Saltarelli loved the Lord, loved the church and loved the diocese of Wilmington; and the people of the diocese returned that love,” said the Most Rev. bishop of Wilmington. “He was a wonderful shepherd to his flock and a great friend to me.
“He will be greatly missed by us all, but we are comforted knowing that he is with God whom he served so well throughout his life," Malooly added. “His ministry embodied his episcopal motto, ‘Obedience to Jesus Christ.’”
On November 21, 1995, Pope John Paul II appointed Saltarelli to be the eighth bishop of the See of Wilmington. He established seven priorities for the diocese: promotion of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the development of a pastoral plan for ministry to Hispanic people, the assessment of diocesan offices and ministries to assure efficiency, the establishment of new parishes and schools, the examination of the roles of clergy and laity in parish ministry, the evangelization of the “unchurched” and alienated African American community, and the development of a comprehensive plan for ministry on college campuses.
Saltarelli made significant contributions on national Catholic discussions concerning the sanctity of human life in the womb and all its stages, the need to reach out to inactive Catholics, the need for a consistent use of the Catholic funeral rites and the importance of solid Catholic marriage preparation.
Among the several pastoral statements Saltarelli penned, "How to Reach Inactive Catholics" was the lead contribution in the January 27, 2000 edition of Origins, a national publication of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Saltarelli presided over an era of expansion and growth in the Diocese of Wilmington. A three-year capital campaign, Bringing the Vision to Life, addressed the needs of a growing diocesan family to build, renovate and expand churches, schools and other facilities throughout the diocese. New schools and parishes were established, existing schools have been expanded -- some through consolidation -- and numerous capital projects have been completed in parishes throughout the diocese.
Reception of the body of Saltarelli will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at St. Elizabeth. Saltarelli will lie in state until 7:30 p.m. at which time Malooly will preside at a concelebrated Mass.
Malooly will also preside at a concelebrated Mass at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at St. Elizabeth. This Mass is primarily for Catholic School students of the diocese but is open to all. Saltarelli’s body will lie in state until 7:30 p.m. at which time Malooly preside at another concelebrated Mass.
Saltarelli’s body will lie in state a final time at St. Elizabeth from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. The Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of the Diocese of Allentown will be the homilist.
Internment will follow at All Saints Cemetery on Kirkwood Highway.
All Masses are open to the public although seating is limited.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Vision for the Future: Catholic School Tuition Assistance Program, c/o Diocese of Wilmington, P.O. Box 2030, Wilmington, DE 19899-2030.
