Robert J. Brennan

Last updated
His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Robert John Brennan
Bishop of Brooklyn
Bishop Robert Brennan.jpg
Church Catholic Church
Diocese Brooklyn
AppointedSeptember 29, 2021
InstalledNovember 30, 2021
Predecessor Nicholas 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 mater St. John's University
Seminary of the Immaculate Conception
MottoThy will be done
Styles of
Robert John Brennan
Coat of arms of Robert John Brennan (Brooklyn).svg
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Bishop

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.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Robert J. Brennan was born on June 7, 1962, to Robert and Patricia Brennan in the Bronx, New York. He has two brothers and two sisters. His maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Ireland. Robert Brennan earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from St. John's University in Queens. [1]

Brennan was raised in Lindenhurst, New York. He went to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Lindenhurst and then attended St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, New York. After finishing high school, Brennan entered St. John’s University in Queens, New York, where he received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and computer science. [1]

Having decided to become a priest, Brennan enrolled at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York, where he was awarded a Master of Divinity degree. [1]

Priesthood

Brennan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on May 27, 1989, by Bishop John R. McGann. [2] Brennan's first pastoral assignment was at St. Patrick Parish in Smithtown, New York. [1]

In 1994, McGann appointed Brennan as his priest-secretary. He continued in this role for Bishops James McHugh and William F. Murphy, while also providing pastoral service at St. Agnes Cathedral Parish. Brennan left this position in 2002 to become vicar general and moderator of the curia. In 2010, he was named pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Long Beach, New York. [1]

Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre

Coat of arms of Bishop Brennan as auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre Coat of arms of Robert J. Brennan.svg
Coat of arms of Bishop Brennan as auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre

Brennan was appointed titular bishop of Erdonia and auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre on June 8, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI. He received his episcopal consecration at St. Agnes Cathedral on July 25, 2012, from Bishop Murphy, with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop Paul Henry Walsh acting as co-consecrators. [3] [2]

Bishop of Columbus

Coat of arms of Bishop Brennan as bishop of Columbus Coat of arms of Robert John Brennan.svg
Coat of arms of Bishop Brennan as bishop of Columbus

Pope Francis appointed Brennan as bishop of Columbus on January 31, 2019. [4] [5] He was installed there on March 29, 2019. [6] In August 2019, Brennan initiated with the Vatican the elevation of Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Lancaster, Ohio, to the rank of a minor basilica. [7]

In December 2020, Brennan announced the "Real Presence Real Future" strategic planning initiative for the diocese. He described it as "increasing the presence of Christ throughout its 23 counties over the next three years and upholding the Faith for future generations." [8] The initiative involved grouping some parishes and closing others to deal with the shortage of priests in the diocese. Diocesan officials termed the initiative a hallmark of Brennan's tenure as bishop in Columbus. [9]

In December 2020, Brennan gave his support to the cause of racial justice after the shooting of Casey Goodson by police in Columbus on December 4, 2020. [10]

Bishop of Brooklyn

On September 29, 2021, Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn and named Brennan to succeed him. [11] Brennan was installed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan on November 30, 2021, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn. [12] 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. [13]

In March 2022, the Vatican commissioned an investigation into Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He was accused of withholding a memo concerning possible sexual abuse by a diocesan priest. [14] The Vatican is conducting the Chappetto inquiry under the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi.[ citation needed ]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn". Diocese of Brooklyn. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  2. 1 2 "Bishop Robert John Brennan [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  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. ↑ Bean, Doug (August 14, 2022). "Lancaster St. Mary of the Assumption designated a minor basilica". The Catholic Times. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  8. ↑ "Diocese of Columbus announces "Real Presence, Real Future" Strategic Initiative to Plot Future | Real Presence, Real Future" . Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ King, Danae. "Columbus' Catholic bishop, Robert J. Brennan, is outspoken on race, engages with fellow faith leaders". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  11. ↑ "Resignations and Appointments, 29.09.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Bishop Brennan installed as leader of the Brooklyn Diocese". www.ny1.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Pillar, The (10 March 2022). "Brooklyn aux bishop under Vatican investigation, whistleblower resigns". www.pillarcatholic.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.

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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
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