Pope names former Vatican official as Boston auxiliary bishop

Boston, Mass., Nov 9, 2012 / 12:08 pm

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Monsignor Robert P. Deeley, current vicar general of Boston and a former official at the Vatican's Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, as an auxiliary bishop for the Boston archdiocese.

Throughout his priesthood Bishop-designate Deeley "has served with a deep and abiding commitment to Christ and the Church," said Cardinal Seán O'Malley, who voiced gratitude to the Pope for the appointment.

"As a pastor, as Judicial Vicar, in his vital work at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, and now as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia he has contributed greatly to the life of the Church, always focused on bringing people closer to God," the cardinal reflected.

The appointment was announced on Nov. 9 in Washington, D.C., by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the U.S.

"I am humbled by the Holy Father's confidence in me by appointing me to the episcopacy," said Bishop-designate Deeley.

"I pray that God grants me wisdom to continue to do the work He has blessed me with in nearly forty years of being a priest," he added. "Throughout, I have been inspired by the love and support of my family and the joy of bringing the sacraments to our people."

Born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1946, Bishop-designate Deeley attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in canon law. He was ordained a priest in Boston in 1973.

In addition to serving in local parishes, he has worked as secretary to the archdiocesan metropolitan tribunal and as the judicial vicar.

In 2004, Bishop-designate Deeley was called to Rome by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger – now Pope Benedict XVI – who led the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to assist with work in canon law.

He returned to Boston in 2011 after being named vicar general and moderator of the Curia for the archdiocese. Cardinal O'Malley noted that after his ordination, Bishop-designate Deeley will continue to serve in these positions.

For his episcopal motto, he has chosen "Veritatem Facere in Caritate," a phrase from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians which means "To Live the Truth in Love."

He will be ordained at Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Jan. 4, 2013 and will join five other active auxiliary bishops in the archdiocese.