Pope Appoints New Bishop of Diocese of Rockville Centre

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop John O. Barres to serve as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, succeeding Bishop William Murphy.

Barres, 56, will take over for Murphy, 76, on Jan. 31. When Murphy turned 75 last year, he sent his letter of retirement to the pope. However, it was up to the pope when to officially accept it and appoint a successor. He did so Friday morning. Murphy has been the bishop of Rockville Centre since 2001.

Until now, Barres was serving as bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He succeeds Murphy, who has led the Diocese of Rockville Centre since 2001.

Barres will assume leadership of the diocese during a Mass of Installation at the Cathedral of Saint Agnes on Jan. 31, 2017 at 2 p.m. Until that time, Murphy will serve as Apostolic Administrator.

“It is my deep conviction that he will be a Bishop for all of us without exception,” Murphy said in a statement. “He has shared with me his love of youth and his care for the elderly. He has a keen sense of parish life and has a special expertise in education. He has a deep love for the poor and will support Catholic Charities, parish outreach as well as Catholic Hospitals on Long Island. He will be a good neighbor to our brothers and sisters of the Christian Churches, our Jewish and Muslim friends and the many civic and political leaders with whom he will work in building up Long Island for future generations. Above all he is a man of prayer, both the prayer of the Church through Eucharist and the sacraments as well as the many devotions of our Catholic tradition, especially the Blessed Virgin and St. Agnes."

The Diocese of Rockville Centre, with 1.5 million Catholics, is the sixth-largest diocese in the nation by population. It has 133 parishes and 291 active priests.

Barres was introduced to the diocese Friday morning when he co-celebrated a Mass with Murphy at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.

Photo: Diocese of Allentown