Bishop Norbert Dorsey

Diocese of Orlando tribute to the life of Bishop Dorsey who served as Bishop of Orlando from May 25, 1990 until his retirement on November 13, 2004.

Excerpt:
Bishop Dorsey was installed as the third bishop of Orlando on May 25, 1990. During his episcopacy, the Diocese grew from 216,000 to almost 400,000 Catholics. Bishop Dorsey established the parishes of Holy Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Rose of Lima, and St. John the Evangelist, and the mission of St. Leo the Great in Lake Wales. He oversaw numerous construction, expansion, and renovation projects, including the building of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine in 1993, elementary schools for Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Kissimmee; Resurrection Catholic Church and St. Anthony Catholic Church, Lakeland; Annunciation Catholic Church, Altamonte Springs; Holy Family Catholic Church, Orlando and Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala; and new churches at Queen of Peace, Ocala; Prince of Peace, Ormond Beach; Resurrection, Winter Garden; St. Ann, Debary; St. Mary, Rockledge; and Annunciation, Altamonte Springs. He established a cemetery at San Pedro Retreat Center for priests of the diocese. In 1996 Bishop Dorsey gathered eleven thousand people together for the first Diocesan-wide celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. On this memorable day, Catholics came together from near and far to show their unity and passion for their faith. Bishop Dorsey was the first bishop to establish the Blue Mass, a celebration of the gifts of public safety personnel, in the Diocese of Orlando. The first Blue Mass was celebrated on October 5, 2001 at St. James Cathedral. In 2004 he established Bishop Grady Villas, a 10-acre residential community in St. Cloud for adults with disabilities. Bishop Dorsey spoke several languages, including Spanish, /Italian, French, and Creole.

Norbert Dorsey lived his sermons as well as preached them. There was never a kinder gentleman who always was gracious and kind, and for family, he will be sadly missed. God bless you, Norbert. You were a true servant of God on Earth, and I know heaven received you with open arms last Thursday...

Excerpt from letter to the editor, Bishop Lived Sermons by C. Britt Beemer, Orlando Sentinel, February 26, 2013, A-12.

The Most Reverend Norbert M. Dorsey, served as Bishop of Orlando from May 25, 1990 until his retirement on November 13, 2004.

Bishop Dorsey passed away in Orlando on February 21, 2013.

He will be remembered for his deep spirituality and the great many accomplishments he brought for the good of people living in Florida and abroad. He also will be remembered as a good neighbor.

Funeral notice for the Most Reverend Norbert M. Dorsey, who served as Bishop of Orlando from May 25, 1990 until his retirement on November 13, 2004, Orlando Sentinel, front page, B section, February 23, 2013.

Bishop Dorsey passed away in Orlando on February 21, 2013.

He will be remembered for his deep spirituality and the great many accomplishments he brought for the good of people living in Florida and abroad.

Bishop Dorsey Established:
Bishop Grady Villas for adults with disabilities.
Blue Mass honoring public safety personnel.
Holy Cross Parish
St. Catherine of Siena Parish
St. Rose of Lima Parish
St. John the Evangelist Parish
St. Leo the Great Mission in Lake Wales
San Pedro Retreat Center cemetery for priests.