The Catholic Community of Rhode Island awoke to the news on a late October morning that another native son of Providence would soon become a successor of the apostles.
Monsignor Robert C. Evans, pastor of St. Philip Church in Greenville, was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Providence by Pope Benedict XVI. The official news of his appointment was announced at the Providence Priests Convocation on Cape Cod among many of his brother priests who were effusive in their joy and happiness at the good news.
Bishop-elect Evans has become a well-known churchman in the Diocese of Providence since his priestly ordination in St. Peter’s Basilica in 1973. His formative training for the priesthood began at Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School in 1965 and continued during theological and canon law studies in Rome. His priestly life is a testimony of his vast experience serving both the local and universal church and covers a wide breadth of assignments including assistant pastor at several parishes, hospital chaplain, bishop’s secretary, chancellor, and priest personnel director. His priestly ministry outside the diocese includes serving as the Director of Continuing Theological Education at the North American College in Rome and Secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, DC. Bishop-elect Evans has been serving for the last few years as the beloved pastor and parish priest in the large St. Philip Church.
Over the years Bishop-elect Evans has been highly regarded and respected by the priests and people of the Diocese of Providence for his keen intellect, pastoral sensibility, and fidelity to the magisterium as well as his affable sense of humor and gentlemanly manner. The Catholic Church in Providence continues to rejoice in the hope that Bishop-elect Evans working with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin will continue to boldly proclaim the Gospel both in and out of season. Our new auxiliary bishop offers great hope that his tremendous talent and leadership as a priest, administrator, teacher and pastor will continue in the years ahead. We offer our prayers and congratulations to this former altar boy from Mt. Carmel Church on Federal Hill who now becomes a successor to the Apostles. Ad Multos Gloriosque Annos!
