PROVIDENCE — The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Father James T. Ruggieri, a priest of the Diocese of Providence, as Bishop of Portland (Maine). Since 2003, Bishop-Elect Ruggieri has served as Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, Providence, and since 2020 also served as pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Providence. He is also the founding pastor of St. Patrick’s Academy, Providence.
Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, Bishop of Providence, shared his congratulations saying, “In my brief time in Providence, I have come to appreciate and admire Father Ruggieri’s personal humility, authenticity, and remarkably fruitful priestly ministry. That ministry has wide-reaching effects upon the people and clergy of this diocese. For these reasons, among others, I see the wisdom of the Holy Father’s choice even as I feel the pang of the loss to us. I know that we will rejoice with Bishop James Ruggieri and send him to his new mission with our prayers and support.”
Bishop-Elect Ruggieri will officially succeed Bishop Robert P. Deeley, J.C.D., who has led the Diocese of Portland for 10 years, at his Mass of ordination and installation on May 7, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine. He will become the 13th Bishop of Portland. The Diocese of Portland was established by Pope Pius IX on July 29, 1853, and today includes the entire state of Maine—an area of 33,215 square miles with more than 275,000 Catholics. In addition to 48 parishes, it has eight elementary schools, one private elementary school, one diocesan high school, and one private high school. It also includes one Catholic college, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish.
Bishop-Elect Ruggieri is a native of Rhode Island. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Providence College and a Master of Divinity degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Providence in 1995 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.
