Robert J. Brennan

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Robert John Brennan
Bishop of Brooklyn
ChurchCatholic Church
DioceseBrooklyn
AppointedSeptember 29, 2021
InstalledNovember 30, 2021
PredecessorNicholas Anthony DiMarzio
Orders
OrdinationMay 27, 1989
by John R. McGann
ConsecrationJuly 25, 2012
by William Francis Murphy
Charles J. Chaput
Paul Henry Walsh
Personal details
Born (1962-06-07) June 7, 1962 (age 61)
Bronx, New York
Previous post(s)
Alma materSt. John's University
Seminary of the Immaculate Conception
MottoThy will be done
Styles of
Robert John Brennan
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Robert John Brennan (born June 7, 1962) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York City since 2021. Previously he served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York from 2012 to 2019, and as bishop of the Diocese of Columbus in Ohio from 2019 to 2021.

Biography

Early life

Robert J. Brennan was born on June 7, 1962, in the Bronx, New York. He attended St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip, New York. His maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Ireland. Robert Brennan earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from St. John's University in Queens. He studied for his Master of Divinity degree at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York.

Priesthood

Brennan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on May 27, 1989, by Bishop John McGann. Brennan's first pastoral assignment was at St. Patrick Parish in Smithtown, New York.

Brennan was appointed bishop's secretary and served in that role under Bishops McGann, James McHugh,[1] and William F. Murphy.[2] Before his consecration as bishop, Brennan was the pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Long Beach, New York.

Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre

Coat of arms of Robert J. Brennan as Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre

Brennan was appointed titular bishop of Erdonia and auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on June 8, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI. He received his episcopal consecration on July 25, 2012, from Bishop Murphy. He was also made vicar general of the diocese. [3]

Bishop of Columbus

Coat of arms of Robert J. Brennan as Bishop of Columbus

Pope Francis appointed Brennan as bishop of the Diocese of Columbus on January 31, 2019.[4][5] He was installed there on March 29, 2019.[6]

In December 2020, Brennan announced the "Real Presence Real Future" strategic planning initiative, aiming at "increasing the presence of Christ throughout its 23 counties over the next three years and upholding the Faith for future generations."[7] The initiative, which was hailed as a hallmark of Brennan's 2 1/2 years in the diocese[8] is in the process of releasing draft models grouping parishes and resources together due in part to the shortage of Catholic priests,[9] and likely will result in the closures of some parishes.[8] The initiative was to be continued by Brennan's successor in Columbus, Bishop Earl Fernandes. [10]

Brennan was praised for his ecumenism with local church leaders, and his condemnation of racism and police violence, especially following the death of Columbus man Casey Goodson in December 2020. [11]

The elevation of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Lancaster, Ohio, to the rank of a minor basilica was initiated by Brennan in August of 2019. [12]

Bishop of Brooklyn

On September 29, 2021, Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Diocese of Brooklyn and named Brennan to succeed him.[13] Brennan was installed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan on November 30, 2021, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn. [14] Brennan's motto, "Thy Will Be Done", a passage from the Lord's Prayer, is engraved upon the headstone of his grandfather, and was on a prayer card that he kept until his death. [15]

In March of 2022, the Vatican commissioned an investigation into whether Brennan had knowledge of Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto's withholding of a memo concerning possible sexual abuse by a priest of the Diocese.[16] The Holy See is conducting an inquiry into the allegations against Bishop Chappetto, under the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ "McHugh Chronicles". New Engel Publishing. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  2. ^ "The Most Reverend Paul H. Walsh". Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  3. ^ Rattner, Judy (August 1, 2012). "Two priests become auxiliary bishops in St. Agnes ordination". Long Island Herald. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  4. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 31.01.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. January 31, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  5. ^ "Pope names Long Island auxiliary as bishop of Columbus". Catholic News. January 31, 2019. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Orozco, Jackie (March 29, 2019). "New York Bishop officially installed as 12th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus". WSYX. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "Diocese of Columbus announces "Real Presence, Real Future" Strategic Initiative to Plot Future | Real Presence, Real Future". Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  8. ^ a b King, Danae (12 October 2021). "'Hallmark' of his time as bishop, Brennan hopes diocese reorientation continues without him". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Project to address needs of Catholics in central Ohio waiting on new bishop". NBC4 WCMH-TV. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  10. ^ "Bishop-designate surprised by his appointment". The Catholic Times. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  11. ^ King, Danae. "Columbus' Catholic bishop, Robert J. Brennan, is outspoken on race, engages with fellow faith leaders". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  12. ^ "Lancaster St. Mary of the Assumption designated a minor basilica". The Catholic Times. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  13. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 29.09.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  14. ^ "Bishop Brennan installed as leader of the Brooklyn Diocese". www.ny1.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  15. ^ Brennan, The Most Rev Robert. "Column: Bishop Robert Brennan and the meaning behind his motto, 'Thy will be done'". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  16. ^ Pillar, The (10 March 2022). "Brooklyn aux bishop under Vatican investigation, whistleblower resigns". www.pillarcatholic.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.

External links

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Roman Catholic Titular See of Erdonia
2012–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
–
 Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre
2012–2019 		Succeeded by
–
Preceded by Bishop of Columbus
2019–2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Brooklyn
2021–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent