We have a new Benedictine bishop in the USA! Thanks be to God!
The Right Reverend Abbot Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., 60, has been appointed an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ, today by Pope Francis. He will be a close collaborator of Joseph William Cardinal Tobin, CSsR, the Cardinal-archbishop of Newark.
Bishop-elect Lorenzo is a Benedictine monk of St. Mary’s Abbey (Morristown, NJ) and until now the Abbot President of the American Cassinese Congregation.
Elias Lorenzo is well educated, with years of experience in service and leadership in the Church and among Benedictines. Since 2016 as Abbot President worked with the abbots, monks and laity of 25 monasteries in the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, Brasil, Colombia, and Taiwan which sponsors 10 universities and 12 high schools.
Among the US Bishops, Lorenzo will be the sole Benedictine monk serving as bishop, the others are retired.
May Our Lady and St. Benedict intercede for Bishop-elect Lorenzo and the Archdiocese of Newark.