Springfield native Bishop Dorsey has died

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Passionist Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, a Springfield native and 3rd Bishop of Orlando, Florida, has died after a long battle with cancer.

Born Leonard James Dorsey on December 14, 1929 in Springfield, he was the son of the late Leonard E. and Mary Ann. Bishop Dorsey was pre-deceased by his only sibling, his brother, Paul.

Dorsey studied around the world and was fluent in several languages. One of the spiritual highlights of his episcopacy occurred in 1996 when he gathered 11,000 people together for the first diocesan-wide celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

His body will be returned to his place of birth, Springfield, where a wake and Mass will take place on Friday, March 1 at Sacred Heart Church on Chestnut Street. The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. with the Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow immediately at the Passionist Community section of Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Springfield.