The College Celebrates Msgr. Checchio’s Appointment as Bishop

By the time our Rector, Very Rev. Peter Harman (Springfield in Illinois, ’99), announced the news to the College during lunch on March 8, almost everyone had already heard that Msgr. James F. Checchio (’92, C’97) — an alumnus of the College and its twenty-second Rector — had been named Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, but that did not decrease the expression of joy and gratitude with which the news was received.

Yet even those who had not yet heard the announcement were not surprised. As Rev. Harman stated, “Bishop-elect Checchio served the North American College extremely well over the past twelve years, and it is no surprise that the Holy Father would ask him to serve the Church as a shepherd.” Having been graced with his fatherly presence and pastoral heart, the whole College was in agreement with Rev. Harman’s assessment that “the faithful of the Metuchen diocese are blessed to have him.”

Now responsible for the 639,758 Catholics of the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey, the College promises Bishop-elect Checchio its prayers as he begins this new chapter of his ministry.


Click here to read the statement of Very Rev. Peter Harman on the appointment of Bishop-Elect Checchio.


Header photo: The College bids farewell to Msgr. Checchio as he departs for his home diocese of Camden on January 30.