His Excellency, The Most Reverend

James Francis Checchio
Bishop of Metuchen
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseNewark
DioceseMetuchen
AppointedMarch 8, 2016
InstalledMay 3, 2016
PredecessorPaul Bootkoski
Orders
OrdinationJune 20, 1992
by James T. McHugh
ConsecrationMay 3, 2016
by John Myers, Paul Gregory Bootkoski, Dennis Joseph Sullivan
Personal details
Born (1966-04-21) April 21, 1966
Camden, New Jersey, US
MottoReconciliamini Deo
(Be reconciled to God)
Styles of
James Francis Checchio
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

James Francis Checchio (born April 21, 1966 in Camden, New Jersey) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic church. Checchio served as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome from 2005 until 2016. On March 8, 2016, Pope Francis named Checchio as bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey to succeed Bishop Paul Bootkoski.[1] Checchio was consecrated as bishop of Metuchen on May 3, 2016.

Biography

Early life

James Checchio was born on April 21, 1966, in Camden, New Jersey. He attended Paul VI High School in Haddon Township, New Jersey, graduating in 1984.[1] He then entered the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1988.[1] Checchio subsequently entered the seminary and was sent to the Pontifical North American College in Rome to complete his formation for priestly ordination. He finished his university studies there with a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1993.[1]

Priesthood

Checchio was ordained a priest by Bishop James McHugh for the Diocese of Camden on June 20, 1992.[1][2] After completing his studies in Rome, Checchio returned to the Diocese of Camden, where he served as secretary to Bishop McHugh, Checchio also served as vice chancellor, director of communications, moderator of the curia, episcopal vicar and as [2]a member of the diocesan tribunal.[2] He served as administrator of Holy Spirit Parish in Atlantic City, New Jersey, parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Blackwood, New Jersey, and summer parochial vicar at St. Peter Parish in Merchantville, New Jersey and St. Peter Celestine Parish in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.[2]

Checchio then attended the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, where he earned a Doctor of Canon Law degree in 1998.[1][3] His dissertation was entitled An Examination of General Absolution Using the Criteria of a Juridic Act. In 2004, he also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia.[1][3]

In 2000, Checchio was appointed a chaplain of his holiness by Pope John Paul II, which carries with it the title of monsignor. He was appointed to honorary prelate by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.[2]

Rector of the North American College

Prior to his assignment as rector of the Pontifical North American College, Checchio served as vice rector there for three years. At the recommendation of the College's episcopal oversight Board, the Holy See appointed him rector[3] on December 12, 2005, and his term began on January 16, 2006.[3] On November 23, 2015 it was announced that Checchio would be succeeded as rector by Father Peter C. Harman.[4] Checchio's term as Rector ended February 1, 2016,[4][5] at which time he returned to Camden.

Bishop of Metuchen

On March 8, 2016, Checchio was appointed by Pope Francis to succeed to Bishop Paul Bootkoski as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen.[1] His episcopal consecration took place on May 3, 2016, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield, New Jersey.[6] The principal consecrator was Archbishop John J. Myers; the co-consecrators were Bishop Bootkoski and Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan.[6]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Francis Checchio.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Rinunce e nomine, 08.03.2016". Bollettino (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Msgr. James F. Checchio appointed a prelate of honor by Pope Benedict XVI" (Press release). Diocese of Camden. September 22, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 College Canonical Statutes, Article V, Section 2. - Wooden, Cindy (December 12, 2005). "Camden, N.J., priest named rector of U.S. seminary in Rome". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on December 12, 2005. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Rector Named for the Pontifical North American College" (PDF) (Press release). Pontifical North American College. 23 November 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  5. ↑ Beuttel, David (23 November 2015). "Quincy native appointed rector of prestigious college in Rome". WGEM. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 The Ordination and Installation of the Most Reverend James Francis Checchio (PDF). Diocese of Metuchen. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.

Episcopal succession

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