As we settled in for an interview with Most Reverend Adam J. Parker, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the mood was light. We started with some quick, fun questions
to break the ice and get to know Bishop Parker a little better before diving into the deeper topics.
How do you spend your free time?
What’s your favorite food?
Who’s your favorite sports team?
Without missing a beat, he smiled and answered that last one, “The Ravens, of course! I’m a football fan through and through.” He leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the chance to talk about his favorite team. “What’s kind of funny is that the Ravens have gone to the Super Bowl twice, in 2001 and 2013, and both times I happened to live in Rome. I missed being in Baltimore for all the exciting Super Bowl hype,” he chuckled. “Last year, we were so close, and I was really hoping I’d finally get to experience it while being in Baltimore. But no luck,” he added with a laugh.
Then returning to the topic of food, Bishop Parker’s eyes lit up. His love for Italian cuisine was apparent. “There are various pasta dishes that I like quite a bit,” he shared. “Having spent so much of my life living in Italy, I learned to cook a few of them. But if I had to choose, I’d say Amatriciana is my favorite. It’s a dish that comes from the town of Amatrice, in central Italy. It’s a red sauce made with pancetta—cured bacon—and onions, with some spices. I’ve modified their version a bit to make my own American version, but it’s definitely one of my favorite dishes.”
“As for my free time…I really like the outdoors,” he responded. “I have access to a kayak, and I like to go kayaking on the South River. I also enjoy hiking. Every year I take a hiking vacation, where I go
for about 10 days to different places. This year, we went to the Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho. We hiked each day, covering between 10 to 15 miles, with around 2,000 feet of elevation gain.” He described one particularly memorable hike that didn’t go as planned. “We had set out to do maybe about 10 or 15 miles round trip, but the trail was so spectacular that we just kept going. By the time we got to 10 miles in, we realized we’d have to turn around because it was going to be a 20-mile hike. By the time we got back, we were somewhat dehydrated, and we were walking slowly, but it was worth every step.”
He also shared that next year, to celebrate his 25th anniversary of priesthood, he plans to return to Switzerland, where his love for hiking first began. “It’s where I caught the bug,” he said with a smile. “Hiking is my way of connecting with God and appreciating the beauty of His creation.”
Anyone who speaks with Bishop Parker immediately comes to appreciate his very approachable nature. Even as the conversation shifted toward his daily life as Auxiliary Bishop and his responsibilities within the Archdiocese, his affability remained.
“My role as Auxiliary Bishop has two large pillars,” he said. “On one hand, there’s my role as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, where I oversee the day-to-day operations of the Archdiocese. I serve as the general manager of the Catholic Center, overseeing the executive directors who manage the various departments. We have six major departments, and then there are a couple of other offices that I’m responsible for, such as child and youth protection. I meet with the executive directors regularly, I meet with the Archbishop, and I’m involved in a lot of meetings—probably between 15 and 18 committees, councils, or boards.”
As he described his day job, it was clear that administrative duties consumed much of his time. “My Monday-to-Friday time is spent in meetings and interacting with people, managing operations here at the Chancery,” he explained.
But it was his description of the second part of his role—the more pastoral side—that really brought out his voice. “The other job, the fun part of my job, is being Auxiliary Bishop,” he said, smiling. “That gives me the opportunity to go out to our parishes and schools for various celebrations. One of the things I enjoy most is celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation. I do about 35 Confirmations a year, and it’s something I really enjoy. It’s great to be with young people; I appreciate their energy and their spirit.”
It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to share the gifts of the Holy Spirit with them,” he continued, making clear how much he cherished his time spent with the faithful in the community, especially those preparing for Confirmation “It also gives me the chance to visit our parishes, from here to Oakland,” he added. “I really enjoy that aspect of my ministry.”
One of the most significant parts of our conversation came when we discussed Catholic education, particularly the Partners in Excellence (PIE) program, which provides scholarships to lower-income families, allowing their children to attend Catholic schools. Bishop Parker spoke with deep conviction about the importance of Catholic education, not just for individual students but for the future of the city as a whole.
“We are celebrating some really good news about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. Five of our schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools this year. That’s incredible when you think about it—12% of all the private schools that were named Blue Ribbon Schools in the entire country are right here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. We have an incredible product to offer—a Christ-centered, value-centered, and disciplined education.”
But despite the success of the schools, Bishop Parker acknowledged the challenges many families face in accessing Catholic education. “Catholic education isn’t inexpensive,” he said. “For lower-income families, particularly those with city addresses, it can be difficult to afford it. That’s where Partners in Excellence comes in. PIE is the key to access for Catholic education. It gives families the opportunity to send their children to our schools, which would otherwise be out of reach.”
This financial obstacle of a Catholic school tuition is often more keenly felt and difficult to overcome by residents of Baltimore City, which has faced significant challenges in recent years. “When we look at the City of Baltimore right now, we see that it’s in many regards in a sad state of affairs—crime is high, the population continues to decline, and the quality of education in public schools is struggling. But the way we turn this city around is through education. If we invest in the education of our young people, we’re giving them better outcomes and better prospects for the future. And that helps our city. As we educate more young people, we build a stronger, more thriving city.”
He stressed that Partners in Excellence is one of the most impactful ways to make a difference in the community. “People often ask what they can do to help the city or to address the challenges we face. I believe the answer is simple: Partners in Excellence. When we invest in the education of our young people, we’re investing in the future of the city. It’s a no-brainer,” he said with conviction.
Bishop Parker also pointed out that many of the students who receive PIE scholarships aren’t Catholic, at least not yet. “That’s part of the beauty of it,” he said. “Our schools introduce young people to values, discipline, and a relationship with Jesus Christ. And in some cases, these children who might not have otherwise been exposed to the faith begin their journey toward becoming Catholic. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
As we shifted the conversation toward his own spiritual practices, Bishop Parker shared the importance of maintaining a strong personal connection to his faith, even amid his busy schedule. “I begin each day with a Holy Hour and Mass,” he said. “That time is non-negotiable. It’s not written on my calendar, but maybe it should be, because it’s an essential part of my day. During that time, I pray the Liturgy of the Hours, do some spiritual reading, and spend some time in quiet reflection. It helps me stay grounded and connected to God’s will for my life.”
Reflecting on the challenges he has faced in his life, Bishop Parker spoke about personal losses, such as the death of his brother and the recent passing of Monsignor Hannon, a close friend. “Those were difficult times, but I wouldn’t say they tested my faith. In fact, they strengthened it. In those moments, I relied on my faith and the hope we all have for eternal life. I’m grateful that my faith has always remained strong, even in the face of personal challenges.”
Another significant part of his ministry has been handling conflicts, especially during challenging times like the release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report in 2018 and that of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “Many people were angry and disillusioned,” he said. To address this, he initiated the “Lost Sheep Project,” personally responding to over 100 letters from concerned parishioners and inviting them for one-on-one conversations. “It was important to let people know they were heard,” he said. “Through dialogue, we were able to find healing, and I learned a lot from those discussions. Some of those relationships have lasted to this day.”
Toward the end of the interview, we asked Bishop Parker what advice he would give to someone considering a vocation to the priesthood. His answer was thoughtful and encouraging. “First, I would invite them to an openness to discernment,” he said. “The decision to become a priest doesn’t have to be made all at once. It’s a process that unfolds over time, and it’s important to have a good spiritual director who can guide you through that process. Discernment is about listening to God’s will for your life and being open to where He’s calling you.”
It’s clear that Bishop Parker’s passion for his ministry, his deep faith, and his commitment to education are at the core of who he is. His dedication to the Partners in Excellence program, his love for spending time with the faithful in the community, and his own personal journey of faith make him a deeply inspiring figure in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. And as he looks to the future, he remains hopeful that the Church will continue to grow and thrive, especially by re-engaging those who have been baptized but have drifted away from the faith.
“I believe we’re at a moment where the pendulum is swinging back toward faith,” he said, his voice filled with optimism. “People are searching for meaning, and I believe the Church has the answers they’re looking for. Our job is to help them find it.”
As our conversation wrapped up, we asked Bishop Parker if he had a Thanksgiving message for the community.
He agreed, and we captured it on video.
We invite you to view Bishop Parker’s video message below as he reflects with gratitude on the spirit of Thanksgiving.
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The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Advancement Team wishes you and your loved ones a blessed, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving!
