Holy Father appoints new bishop of Charleston

Charleston, S.C., Jan 24, 2009 / 12:10 pm

On Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Monsignor Robert E. Guglielmone as the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. The bishop-elect has previously served as a pastor, high school teacher, seminary faculty member and the National and World Chaplain for Scouts.

According to the Diocese of Charleston, the bishop-elect reacted to the news by remarking, "I am both humbled and grateful that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI would entrust this awesome ministry to me. I must admit that I am a bit anxious about leaving Long Island where I have spent almost my whole life. However, I do trust in the Lord and am very encouraged by the wonderful sense of Southern Hospitality I have already experienced."

Originally from New York, Bishop-elect Guglielmone, studied education and worked as a high school business teacher. After teaching for five years, he attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, NY and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Center on April 8, 1978.

Since his ordination, Msgr. Guglielmone has served as a pastor, as a faculty member of Immaculate Conception Seminary, and as the Director of Pastoral Formation and Dean of Seminarians. He later worked as the Diocesan Director of Clergy Personnel and most recently served as Rector of St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Center.

The bishop-elect has additionally focused on working with the youth during his priesthood. The Diocese of Charleston reports that in addition to his work as a high school teacher, Msgr. Guglielmone has been involved in Scouting since the 1970s, holding various leadership positions including National and World Chaplain as appointed by the Vatican.

Bishop-elect Guglielmone succeeds Bishop Robert J. Baker who was Bishop of Charleston from July 13, 1999, until August 14, 2007, when he was appointed to the Diocese of Birmingham, AL. Since then, Monsignor Martin Laughlin has been the Administrator of the diocese.

Msgr. Laughlin addressed the bishop-elect saying, "For a year and a half we have been praying for you as we awaited the news of the appointment of a new shepherd for the Church of Charleston. As the Good Shepherd cares for his sheep, so we know you will care for the Church God has entrusted to you, laying down your life for her, so that you may offer her back to the Father more beautiful and more holy than you received her."

Msgr. Guglielmone will be ordained and installed as Bishop of Charleston on March 25, 2009.