(PROVIDENCE, R.I.)-The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, has appointed Rev. Bernard A. Healey, pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Albion, to serve as pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in East Greenwich effective August 1.
The appointment of a new pastor follows the unexpected May 6 death of former Our Lady of Mercy pastor, Monsignor John W. Lolio. In addition to his duties as pastor, Fr. Healey will continue to serve as the diocesan liaison to the General Assembly and director of The Rhode Island Catholic Conference.
News of the appointment was shared with parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Ambrose this past weekend. Auxiliary Bishop Robert Evans has served as temporary administrator of the East Greenwich Parish since Monsignor’s passing.
A 1987 graduate of The Catholic University of America with a Bachelors of Arts in Politics, Fr. Healey completed his seminary and theological studies at the American College at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium earning a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He also earned a Licentiate in Canon Law specializing in the area of church-state relations.
Father Healey was ordained on June 24, 1995 by The Most Rev. Louis E. Gelineau. He has served as pastor of St. Ambrose since 2003 and previously as associate pastor at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Narragansett and St. Augustine in Providence.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in the Edgewood section of Cranston, Father Healey attended public schools and attended Mass at St. Paul’s Church. He is the youngest of nine children of the late Judge Edward V. Jr. and Lillian E. Healey.
