Rockville Centre, N.Y., Feb 20, 2018 / 09:53 am
On Tuesday Bishop Robert Coyle, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for the US Military Services, was transferred to the Diocese of Rockville Centre, where he will continue to serve as an auxiliary bishop.
"I was originally ordained a priest here in 1991," Bishop Coyle said Feb. 20. "I am very grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Francis for appointing me to serve the Church on Long Island. I look forward to assisting Bishop John Barres, Bishop of Rockville Centre, in our pursuit of Dramatic Missionary Growth on Long Island."
"Years back there was a spirit campaign with the expression, 'I'm a Long Islander and proud of it!' I again can say that here as a native son."
Bishop Coyle was born Sept. 23, 1964 in Brooklyn, and grew up on Long Island. He attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, N.Y., and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre May 25, 1991. He was named a monsignor in 2008.
He had been commissioned as an ensign in the US Navy in 1988, and served at two parishes on Long Island as a Navy Reserve Chaplain from his priestly ordination until 1999.
Coyle was on active duty from 1999 to 2009, serving in Japan, southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. He served on two aircraft carriers, and was deployed in the Middle East at the beginning of the Iraq War. He was promoted to the rank of commander in 2005.
In 2009 Bishop Coyle ended his active duty and returned to reserve status, returning to ministry in the Rockville Centre diocese.
He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese for the US Military Services in 2013, where he served as episcopal vicar for the eastern half of the US.
"Today I express my gratitude to Almighty God for the privilege to have served the people of the Archdiocese of the Military Services," Bishop Coyle said.
"I thank you for your warm welcome and hospitality at the bases I have visited over the years … As I begin a new chapter in my service as a bishop, I will always give thanks for the joy to have served as a Navy chaplain and auxiliary bishop with the military family."
The bishop will begin his ministry on Long Island April 2.
Bishop John Barres of Rockville Centre said, "I am grateful to the Holy Father for assigning us Bishop Coyle. I am also truly grateful for Bishop Coyle's pastoral service and for his leadership to the young men and women who defend our great country."
"Please join me in welcoming Bishop Coyle as he begins his ministry in the spirt of dramatic missionary growth, to the presbyterate of Long Island."
Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the military archdiocese expressed his deep gratitude for Bishop Coyle's "selfless ministry" as his auxiliary. "At great personal sacrifice, he lived far from his parents and familiar surroundings on Long Island and tirelessly took up the pilgrim's staff to minister to the men and women in uniform and their families."
"I know that he will offer the same generous service to Bishop John Barres and to the faithful of his native Rockville Centre. He returns to them enriched by his ministry to a flock stationed in half of the continental United States."