The Diocese of Rockville Centre this week mourns the death of Bishop McHugh, who only assumed responsibility for the diocese, which is one of the largest in the country, encompassing both Nassau and Suffolk counties, last January.

According to the diocese, Bishop McHugh died peacefully at his residence in Rockville Centre on Sunday afternoon. He was diagnosed with cancer in August 1999 and this fall underwent surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital.

Joanne Novarro, a spokesperson for the diocese stated Monday, "Everybody here is terribly saddened because he was with us for such a short time and he was so supportive of so many things that the Catholic faith teaches. He was very supportive of education and, of course, the sanctity of human life and it seems like he had only just gotten started and now he's gone."

Funeral arrangements for the bishop are as follows:

* Wednesday, Dec. 13- 4 p.m.- Reception of the body of Bishop McHugh at St. Agnes Cathedral and Evening Prayer; Bishop McHugh's body will lie in state until 9 p.m. Evening Prayer;

* Thursday, Dec. 14- Bishop McHugh's body will lie in state in the Cathedral throughout the evening; 8 p.m. Mass of Christ the High Priest (Bishop John R. McGann, principal celebrant);

* Friday, Dec. 15- 1:30 p.m. Funeral Mass, followed by burial in the crypt at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington (Archbishop Edward Egan of New York, principal celebrant; Bernard Cardinal Law, homilist).

St. Agnes Cathedral is located at 29 Quealy Place in Rockville Centre. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects to Bishop McHugh. The burial is private.

With the death of the bishop, the diocese must now look to find a temporary leader until the Vatican names a new bishop. According to Novarro, immediately following the death of a bishop, church law dictates that the senior auxiliary bishop, in this case Bishop Wcela, is in charge. Within eight days of a bishop's death the College of Consultors, a group of approximately 12 priests, has to meet and name an administrator who will remain in that position until the Vatican names a new bishop. According to Novarro, the College of Consultors, which includes all auxiliary bishops, plans to meet within the next few days. Novarro noted that the administrator could be Bishop Wcela or it could be someone else. The administrator must be a priest over the age of 35.

Among the priests who may be considered for this position is Monsignor Alesandro, the Vicar General for the diocese, who is in residence at St. Joseph's Church in Garden City. Novarro noted that Monsignor Alesandro is a member of the College of Consultors and stated, "Monsignor Alesandro has been the Vicar General for the diocese and very involved in many aspects of it so it's a possibility. It wouldn't surprise anyone if he were named."