Pope accepts resignation of Maine bishop, names Rhode Island pastor as successor

By OSV News

WASHINGTON (OSV News) -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert P. Deeley of Portland, Maine, and appointed as his successor Father James T. Ruggieri, a pastor in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island.

Bishop Deeley has headed the statewide diocese just one day shy of 10 years: He was installed as Portland's 12th bishop Feb. 14, 2014, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. Bishop Deeley is 77; canon law requires bishops to turn in their resignation to the pope when they turn 75.

Bishop-designate Ruggieri, 56, is currently pastor of St. Patrick Parish and St. Michael Parish in Providence, serving those parishes as pastor since 2003 and 2020, respectively. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Providence June 24, 1995.

Bishop Deeley's resignation and his successor's appointment were publicized in Washington Feb. 13 by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop-designate Ruggieri will be ordained and installed as Portland's 13th bishop May 7 at the Portland cathedral.

"The state of Maine is a very special place, with deep Catholic roots," Bishop Deeley said in a statement. "It has been a blessing to get to know our communities of the faithful from Kittery to Fort Kent, from Rangeley to Eastport, and everywhere in between. I look forward to continuing my relationship with this great diocese and supporting Bishop Ruggieri."

Bishop-designate Ruggieri said he is "honored and humbled" that Pope Francis has chosen him to be Portland’s next shepherd. "I very much look forward to diving right into getting to know all who make up the diocese, especially the priests and parishioners," he added in a statement. "I am grateful that Bishop Deeley will retire in Maine and provide me with valuable support."

Providence Bishop Richard G. Henning in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, stated that in his brief time as bishop, he has come to "appreciate and admire Father Ruggieri's personal humility, authenticity, and remarkably fruitful priestly ministry."

"That ministry has wide-reaching effects upon the people and clergy of this diocese," said the prelate, who has headed the Rhode Island diocese since May 1, 2023. "For these reasons, among others, I see the wisdom of the Holy Father's choice even as I feel the pang of the loss to us. I know that we will rejoice with Bishop James Ruggieri and send him to his new mission with our prayers and support."

Born on Jan. 12, 1968, in Providence, the newly named bishop attended public schools in Barrington, Rhode Island, followed by studies at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and at Providence College in Rhode Island (1986-1990). He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy while attending Our Lady of Providence Seminary. He received a master's in divinity and a bachelor's in sacred theology from St. Mary Seminary and University (1990-1995) in Baltimore.

His first assignment after his ordination was as assistant pastor at St. Matthew Parish in Cranston (1995-1998), followed by other pastoral assignments including at St. Aloysius, St. Ann and Our Lady of Victories parishes in Woonsocket (1998-2001), and Holy Spirit Catholic Community in Central Falls (2001-2003). He was administrator of St. Casimir Parish in Providence (2004-2011) and St. John the Baptist Parish in Pawtucket (2005-2006).

Bishop-designate Ruggieri's additional responsibilities for the Diocese of Providence have included serving as vicar forane for Providence Central City (2006-2009), and a member of the diocesan council of priests (2008-2011) and the priests' personnel board (2013-2014). He speaks English and Spanish.

Born June 18, 1946, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the fourth of five sons of Irish-immigrant parents, Bishop Deeley was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1973. He had been a Boston auxiliary bishop for less than a year when Pope Francis named him to head the Portland Diocese on Dec. 18, 2013.

He was an official of what was then the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2004 to 2010. Following his Vatican service, he became the Boston Archdiocese's vicar general. He was ordained a Boston auxiliary bishop Jan. 4, 2013.

The Diocese of Portland covers the state of Maine. It has a total population of nearly 1.4 million, of whom 286,095 are Catholic.