Former Rector of North American College Appointed Bishop of Metuchen, N.J.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Msgr. James Checchio, who recently stepped down as rector of the North American College, on Tuesday was appointed bishop of Metuchen, a diocese in north-central New Jersey.

“Touched by a bit of holy fear, I am certainly humbled to become the shepherd of this wonderful diocese, and I look forward to striving to fulfill the demanding task of ensuring that the pastoral charity of Jesus Christ continues to be abundant here in Metuchen,” Msgr. Checchio said at a March 8 press conference announcing his appointment.

“I promise you my prayers and my commitment to serve to the best of my abilities.”

Msgr. Checchio was born in Camden, N.J., in 1966 and was a seminarian at the North American College. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Camden in 1992 and served in the diocese as a parochial vicar and as secretary to the bishop, vice chancellor, communications director and moderator of the Curia. He holds a doctorate in canon law from the Angelicum and served on the diocesan tribunal.

He was vice rector of the North American College from 2003 to 2006, when he was made its rector. He served as rector until this past January, when he stepped down to take a sabbatical.

“I had hoped during my sabbatical to spend time with some family and friends, go on retreat, then do some writing on seminary formation, and finally study Spanish in preparation for becoming a pastor in my home diocese,” he said at his introduction to the Metuchen Diocese. “As of last Monday, those plans have changed!”

He recounted that he was then in Minnesota with friends, where cellphone reception was poor. When he checked his voicemail, he realized he had missed a call from the apostolic nuncio,

READ: Diocese of Metuchen's new bishop: What to know

READ: Diocese of Metuchen's new bishop: What clergy says

WATCH: Bishop-elect James Francis Checchio to lead Diocese of Metuchen

FR threads:

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Outstanding friend of the Tridentine Latin Mass, apparently. Good to know.

Thank you, Pope Francis.

2 posted on 03/29/2016 6:07:41 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Introibo ad altare Dei --- ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.)

Seems alright. I did search if he had any comments on climate change and found nothing. That’s a good thing.

Guess I’ll continue with my regular donation to the arch diocese.

But I do realize I’m getting to an age where I’m older than the Bishop.

3 posted on 04/24/2016 9:05:55 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)

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