Diocese expects more than 1,100 people to attend Bishop D'Arcy's funeral

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese expects standing room only for the funeral of Bishop John D'Arcy.  The former leader of the Diocese passed away Sunday morning after spending the past month battling cancer.

Friday's funeral is just part the services held this week.  Click here to read more on visitation hours and locations .

"We've got a lot of people working very difficult hours behind the scenes the past couple of days to get the Cathedral in Fort Wayne, and the St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend, prepared, all culminating with the noon funeral mass Friday," said Diocese spokesperson, Sean McBride.

As of Wednesday night, McBride said a dozen Bishops from across the country planned to attend.  He added that more and more members of the church are confirming they'll attend each day.

"I think the Cathedral will be standing room only, which is a beautiful thing," McBride said.  "I think it is what Bishop D'Arcy would want, so we're talking about 1,100 to 1,200 people at the Cathedral."

Those in attendance will include people from the region, and from Boston, D'Arcy's hometown.

"He was the bishop to everybody," McBride said.  "He was so well loved throughout the entire Diocese.  Whether you were Lutheran, or Episcopalian, or any of these above, Bishop D'Arcy saw everyone, and I mean everyone, as God's children."

McBride said incense will be a big part of Friday's service.  He also described what people could expect to see at the service.

"Bishop D'Arcy's preferred memorials were not for flowers or anything that would last such a short time," he said.  "His preferred memorials were about gifts to some of his favorite charities.  Such as the four Catholic high schools within the Diocese or the Women's Care Center .  Long-lasting gifts that would benefit the community."