FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 25, 2021
Pope Francis Appoints Two New Auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of New York
(New York, NY) Pope Francis has appointed Father John Bonnici and Father Joseph Espaillat to serve as Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of New York. The appointments were announced today by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, thanked the Holy Father for the appointments. He said, “Pope Francis has selected two outstanding priests, both experienced pastors, to serve the people of God of this archdiocese as auxiliary bishops. I look forward to working even more closely with Bishop-elect Bonnici and Bishop-elect Espaillat, as they undertake this new role in their priesthood.”
Bishop-elect Bonnici, 56, currently serves as the pastor of Saints John and Paul/Saint Augustine Parish in Larchmont, Westchester County. He has also served as pastor of Saint Columba Parish in Chester, and Saint Philip Neri Parish in The Bronx, and as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Elmsford. His other assignments include serving as Director of the Pro-Life office of the archdiocese, and as an adjunct professor of theology at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1991.
Bishop-elect Espaillat, 45, currently serves as pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in The Bronx. He has also served as parochial vicar and then pastor of Saint Peter’s Parish in Yonkers, and as parochial vicar of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Manhattan. He also served as Director of Youth Ministry for the archdiocese. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2003.
As auxiliary bishops, Bishop-elect Bonnici and Bishop-elect Espaillat will assist Cardinal Dolan in a special way in the pastoral care of the people of the archdiocese. Their ordination to the episcopacy is scheduled for March 1, 2022 in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan.
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Statements and curriculum vitae of the two new auxiliary bishops below.