Pope Francis names new Bishop for Columbus, USA

Pope Francis has named Bishop Robert J Brennan, currently serving as an Auxiliary Bishop in Rockville Centre, as the new Bishop of Columbus, Ohio, USA. He succeeds Bishop Frederick F Campbell, whose resignation was accepted by the Holy Father.

Biography of Bishop Robert J Brennan

Bishop Robert John Brennan was born 7 June 1962 in the Bronx, in the Archdiocese of New York. After attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help elementary school and Saint John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and in Computer Science at Saint John’s University in Queens. Later, he pursued his ecclesiastical studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington.

He was ordained a priest on 27 May 1989 for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

After his ordination, Father Brennan served as Parochial Vicar of Saint Patrick Parish in Smithtown (1989-1994); secretary of the three Bishops of Rockville Centre (1994-2002); Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia (2002-2019); and Pastor of Saint Mary of the Isle Parish in Long Beach (2010-2012).

In 1996, Brennan was named Chaplain of His Holiness, and in 2002 Honorary Prelate.

Father Brennan was appointed as an Auxiliary of Rockville Centre and titular Bishop of Erdonia on 8 June 2012; and received episcopal consecration on 25 July of that year. As Auxiliary Bishop, he continued in his role as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.