Announcement of Ordination and Installation of the Eighth Bishop of Paterson
The Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, D.D.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On April 15, 2020, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, made a provision for the pastoral care of the Diocese of Paterson, through his appointment of Rev. Kevin J. Sweeney, Priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn as Bishop of Paterson. Following consultation with the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, The Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, I joyfully announce the Ordination and Installation of the Eighth Bishop of Paterson, and I also announce a Mass of Welcome to be celebrated with Bishop Sweeney at a later date. The details for the celebration of Ordination and Installation are as follows:

At seven o'clock in the evening, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, Solemn Vespers will be celebrated in preparation for the ordination of the Bishop-Elect the following day.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, the Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra, Priest, His Eminence Joseph W. Cardinal Tobin, C.Ss.R., Metropolitan Archbishop of Newark will ordain The Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, to the Order of Bishops and Install Bishop Sweeney as the Eighth Bishop of Paterson with The Most Reverend Nicholas A. DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, and myself serving as Co-Consecrating Bishops.

Both celebrations will be take place in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Paterson and will be in accord with social distancing norms and will strictly require limited admission by ticket only. Both events will be live streamed on the website of the Diocese of Paterson with further instructions regarding access to the live stream to follow.

When social distancing norms can be relaxed and a greater number of the faithful are able to gather, a Mass of Thanksgiving and Welcome will be celebrated by Bishop Sweeney in the late autumn, so that the local church of Paterson can pray together with the shepherd who will guide us in the name of the Lord.

During these days of preparation for the Ordination and Installation of the Bishop-Elect, we join in prayer for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our new shepherd and upon all of the clergy, religious, and laity of the Diocese of Paterson. We ask for God's healing power to dispel all fear and illness from among us and to give us the grace of the Light of Christ which never fails.

Commending the Bishop-Elect, and all of the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Paterson to care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the intercession of Saint John the Baptist, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.
Apostolic Administrator