James F. Checchio

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

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
ConsecrationMay 3, 2016
by John Myers, Paul Gregory Bootkoski, Dennis Joseph Sullivan
Personal details
Born (1966-04-21) April 21, 1966
Camden, New Jersey
MottoReconciliamini Deo
Styles of
James Francis Checchio
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Education and priesthood

Checchio was born in 1966 in Camden, where he attended Paul VI High School in Haddon Township, graduating in 1984.[1] Afterward he went on to study at the University of Scranton, where he finished his bachelor's degree in 1988.[1] He subsequently entered seminary and was sent to study at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He finished his studies there with a licentiate in Canon Law in 1993.[1]

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, 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 James T. McHugh, as well as vice chancellor of the diocese, director of communications, moderator of the diocesan curia, and episcopal vicar for administration of the diocese.[2] He also served in the diocesan tribunal.[2] He served as administrator of Holy Spirit Parish in Atlantic City, parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Blackwood, and summer parochial vicar at St. Peter Parish in Merchantville and St. Peter Celestine Parish in Cherry Hill.[2]

Checchio is an alumnus of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in canon law 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's degree in business administration from La Salle University in Philadelphia.[1][3]

In 2000, Checchio was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II, which granted him the title of monsignor. He was appointed an honorary prelate by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.[2]

Rector of the North American College

Prior to his assignment as rector of the North American College, Checchio served as vice rector there for three years. He was appointed rector on December 12, 2005 by the college's board of governors.[3] His term as rector 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 for service in his home diocese of Camden.

Bishop of Metuchen

On March 8, 2016, Checchio was nominated to succeed to Bishop Paul Bootkoski as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey.[1] His episcopal consecration and installation as the Bishop of Metuchen occurred on May 3, 2016, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield, New Jersey.[6] The principal consecrator was John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, assisted by the outgoing Bishop of Metuchen, Paul G. Bootkoski; and Dennis J. Sullivan, the Bishop of Camden.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Rinunce e nomine, 08.03.2016". Bollettino (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  2. "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. 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. "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. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  6. The Ordination and Installation of the Most Reverend James Francis Checchio (PDF). Diocese of Metuchen. Retrieved May 3, 2016.

Episcopal succession
Preceded by
Paul Bootkoski		 Bishop of Metuchen
2016–present		 Succeeded by
—
Preceded by
Kevin McCoy		 Rector of the North American College, Rome
2005–2016		 Succeeded by
Peter C. Harman
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