Pope Leo XIV on Jan. 7 appointed Bishop John Bonnici, an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of New York since 2022, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Rochester, New York.
Bishop Bonnici succeeds Bishop Salvatore Ronald Matano, who has served in the diocese since 2013. In accordance with canon law, Bishop Matano had submitted his resignation upon turning 75 in 2021.
Bishop Bonnici, a native of New York City, was ordained to the priesthood in 1991, according to the Vatican Press Office. He holds a licentiate and doctorate in theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences. Over the course of his ministry, he has served in parish assignments, taught theology at Saint Joseph’s Seminary, and held leadership roles in the Archdiocese of New York, including director of the Family Life/Respect Life Office. He was named auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese in 2022.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who ordained Bishop Bonnici as an auxiliary in 2022, welcomed the news of his appointment. Having worked closely with him in the archdiocese, Dolan described Bonnici as “a faithful priest, beloved pastor, trusted auxiliary bishop, wise counselor, and good friend.”
“Pope Leo has chosen well in appointing him to serve as the Bishop of Rochester,” Cardinal Dolan said. “While we will surely miss him here in New York, we are grateful that one of our neighboring dioceses will now experience his pastoral love.”
The post Pope Leo appoints new bishop of Rochester, New York appeared first on CatholicVote org.