Pope Francis Appoints New Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Today, Pope Francis appointed Fr. Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  Fr. Bruce currently serves as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Church in Baltimore and as the current delegate for Hispanic ministry.  He will continue to serve in these capacities for the foreseeable future while serving as auxiliary bishop.

Bishop-elect Lewandowski will be ordained at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.

Statement of Archbishop William E. Lori

“With gratitude to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, it is my joy to announce the appointment of Bishop-elect Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R, as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  We are grateful as well to the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer for their continued generosity in sharing Bishop-elect Lewandowski’s considerable pastoral gifts with our Archdiocese.  In his role as Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Baltimore and as my delegate for Hispanic Catholics, Bishop-elect Lewandowski has demonstrated the true heart of a shepherd, not only for his own parish community, but also for all in need of support and compassion in the City of Baltimore and throughout the Archdiocese. Bishop-elect Lewandowski will continue serving in his current roles as he takes on this new responsibility. As we warmly welcome our new auxiliary bishop, please join me in praying that God will abundantly bless Bishop-elect Lewandowski in his new ministry to the people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.”

Statement of Bishop-elect Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R

“I am humbled and very grateful to His Holiness, Pope Francis, and to Archbishop Lori to be asked to serve our beloved Church in this very special way. I remember with special gratitude today my family, all of the fellow priests, religious sisters, partners in mission, and so many wonderful parishioners that I have had the privilege of living, praying, serving and worshipping with in parish ministry over the last 26 years. I am especially grateful for my Redemptorist Community at Sacred Heart of Jesus for their love and friendship, and will continue to count on their help and support as I begin this new ministry. I look forward to serving together with Bishop Adam Parker and Bishop Denis Madden, who are friends and valued mentors, and to all at the Catholic Center as we minister to the people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. I belong to you. All that I am, and everything I have is yours for the building up of our local Church. I am very happy to call Baltimore and this great Archdiocese my home! Please pray for me. Know that I am praying for you. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us! Madre del Perpetuo Socorro, ruega por nosotros! St. John Neumann, pray for us! Mother Mary Lange, pray for us!”

Recorded remarks of Archbihshop Lori and Bishop-Elect Lewandowski:

English: https://youtu.be/9nQJuG14ssk

Spanish: https://youtu.be/PmypyyWjUZg

Bruce Alan Lewandowski

Born: June 8, 1967, in Toledo, Ohio.

Parents: Frances (Czelusta) Whitney (living in Marblehead, Ohio) and Robert Lewandowski (living in Chagrin Falls, Ohio)

Education/Priestly Formation:

St. Gerard Elementary School, Lima Ohio; St. Mary’s High School Seminary, Erie, Pa. (the Redemptorist minor seminary); St. Alphonsus College, Suffield, Conn. (the Redemptorist college seminary); The Washington Theological Union.

Profession of Vows as a Redemptorist: Sept. 10, 1988

Priesthood Ordination: May 7, 1994, for the Congregation of the Holy Cross (Redemptorists) Bishop William G. Curlin of Charlotte at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.

Parish Assignments: St. Cecilia Parish (East Harlem, New York City), Associate Pastor, 1994-99; Immaculate Conception Parish, (The Bronx, New York City), Pastor/Superior, 1999-2002; Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Seelos House, (Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, West Indies), Superior/Pastoral Associate, 2002-2005; St. Boniface Parish, Philadelphia, Pa., Pastor/Superior, 2005-2006; Visitation BVM Parish, Philadelphia, Pa., Pastor/Superior, 2006-2011.

Other Assignments: Provincial Council, Baltimore Province of Redemptorists, 2002-2005; Vicar for Cultural Ministries, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, 2011-2015; Interim Delegate for Hispanic Ministry, Archdiocese of Baltimore, 2019-present.