Norbert M. Dorsey

DORSEY, Bishop Norbert M.


Passionist Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, who served at the Holy Family Monastery in West Hartford and eventually became 3rd Bishop of Orlando, FL, died February 21, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. Born Leonard James Dorsey on Dec. 14, 1929 in Springfield, MA, he was the son of the late Leonard E. and Mary Ann (Dowd). He was predeceased by his only sibling, Paul. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Shirley L. Dorsey, of East Longmeadow, MA and niece, Gemma L. Dorsey, of Boston, along with Passionist Brother Augustine Lowe his devoted brother in Christ. After high school he attended Holy Cross Seminary in Dunkirk, NY, and pronounced his vows as a member of the PassionistCommunity taking the religious name of Norbert Mary on Aug. 15, 1949. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 28, 1956, at St. Michael's Monastery in Union City, NJ. After his ordination, he studied sacred eloquence going on to study in Munich, London, and Rome. He held the degrees of Maestro from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, and a Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University. He was a composer of music. Upon returning to the United States, Fr. Dorsey was assigned to the Holy Family Passionist Monastery in West Hartford as a theology professor and the director of formation. In 1968, he was elected to the first of two terms as a member of the leadership council for the Passionists in the Eastern province of the United States. He was also a popular preacher of parish missions and retreats for the laity, religious, and clergy. Fluent in many languages, in 1976, he was elected Assistant General of the Passionists worldwide, and re-elected in 1982. Based in Rome, he shared the experience of the Catholic Church in five continents during periodic "visitations" to nearly 52 countries where the Passionists are established. On Jan. 10, 1986, the late Pope John Paul II named Fr. Dorsey Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami. He was consecrated by Archbishop Edward J. McCarthy at St. Mary's Cathedral in Miami on March 19, 1986. Bishop Dorsey's motto was "Love is Ingenious," taken from the Rule of the Passionist Congregation, written by St. Paul of the Cross. In Miami, Bishop Dorsey served as Vicar General and as well as on the boards of St. Thomas University and Barry University in Miami, and St. Leo College near Tampa. Just four years later he was named as the 3rd Bishop of Orlando, FL where he was installed May 25, 1990. During his episcopacy, the diocese nearly doubled in Catholic population. Much of his tenure was spent addressing the needs of the rapidly expanding diocese, establishing new parishes, building new churches, schools as well as other ministries and services, including spiritual and medical clinics addressing the needs of the largely Catholic immigrant farmers employed by central Florida's agricultural industry. Bishop Dorsey's letter of retirement was accepted on Nov. 13, 2004. He remained in residence in Orlando continuing to serve the people of central Florida as well as remaining active within the Passionist community.
Bishop Dorsey's remains will lie in state on Feb. 27 at St. James Cathedral, Orlando, FL and his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, Orlando on Feb. 28. His body will then be transferred to Springfield, MA where a wake and Mass will take place on Friday, March 1 at Sacred Heart Church, Chestnut Street. The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. with Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Passionist section of Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, it was Bishop Dorsey's wish that contributions be made to the Passionist Community Support Fund, Passionist Pastoral Center 111 South Ridge St., Suite 300, Rye Brook, NY. 10573.