"Shock"? New Archbishop of Boston

Francis has named Bishop Richard Henning, 59, of Providence, Rhode Island, to succeed Cardinal Seán O'Malley, 80, as archbishop of Boston.

Boston is with 1.9 million Catholics, the fourth-largest diocese in the U.S. Monsignor Henning could potentially reign in Boston over the next 20 years which means that Cardinal O'Malley's 21-year tenure could be followed by another long-term tenure.

In April, The Tablet described Boston as the most religiously unaffiliated area in the U.S. Since the 1980s, the number of parishes has dropped by more than half.

Catholic commentator Rocco Palmo announced the appointment the day before on X.com, calling the unexpected decision a "shock pick".

Palmo mentions Monsignor Henning's "experience in pastoral planning" and calls him a "team player" and a "calming presence".

Cardinal O'Malley made headlines in June when he asked bishops to remove Father Marko Rupnik's mosaics from churches. He also sent a letter to the heads of Vatican offices urging them to stop displaying his works.

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mccallansteve

3 hours ago

If Francis appoints him, one has reason to fear.

Opera 369

8 hours ago

Any idea who will be taking Henning's place in Rhode Island?

DrMaria

11 hours ago

"team player" and a "calming presence" - just what is NOT needed. Pray for Our Lord to count us worthy of Bishops who truly love Our Lord and the Catholic Faith enough to refuse to be silent in the wake of apostasy going on all around us - both in the Church and the world. “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.” ― …More

Mary Louise Veritas

8 hours ago

You are correct DrMaria, Boston does not need a "team player" nor a "calming presence." It needs someone on fire for the Truth and for the Faith. This bishop, when he was an auxiliary on Long Island was under a Bishop Barres who hails for Wilmington, the land of Joe B.

John A Cassani

8 hours ago

Boston hasn’t had a bishop who was on fire for the faith since Bishop Cheverus and Fr. Matignon tended to all of the (admittedly very few) Catholics in New England in their day. They had a true missionary spirit, as did many of Boston’s priests throughout the 19th century, back when being Catholic in Boston was detrimental to one’s public standing.

Orthocat

212 hours ago

O'Malley must have lost the confidence of Francis. He was favored in the past as the fact of him being allowed to remain bishop after the retirement of age of 75 shows. Maybe criticizing Rupnik was the straw that broke Francis' back. "Off with his head!"

John A Cassani

212 hours ago

At least he didn’t send McElroy east.

Tomito Barnin Railin

11 hours agoedited

He granted him more than fiv years of extension, he could not grant him more. I don't think Francis has stopped trusting him. Or has any cardinal with Francis retired at a higher age?

John A Cassani

11 hours ago

The “shock” in this is on Bishop Henning’s part. He’s only been bishop of Province for a year or so. Interestingly, O’Malley himself was only bishop of Palm Beach for about 9 months before being named to Boston in 2003. My guess is that O’Malley was essentially given the courtesy of naming his replacement.

John A Cassani

13 hours ago

As far as length of tenure goes, Henning is only Boston’s 7th bishop since prior to Vatican I.

SonoftheChurch

15 hours ago

He’s got his work cut out for him.