Gerardo Joseph Colacicco Explained

Honorific-Prefix:His Excellency, The Most Reverend
Gerardo Joseph Colacicco
Auxiliary Bishop of New York
Titular Bishop of Erdonia
Archdiocese:New York
Appointed:October 10, 2019
Enthroned:December 10, 2019
Ordination:November 6, 1982
Ordained By:Terence Cooke
Consecration:December 10, 2019
Consecrated By:Timothy M. Dolan, Henry J. Mansell, and Gerald Thomas Walsh
Birth Date:19 September 1955
Birth Place:Poughkeepsie, New York
Motto:Credo (I believe)
Gerardo Joseph Colacicco
Dipstyle:

Gerardo Joseph Colacicco (born September 19, 1955) is an American Catholic prelate who has served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New York since 2019. He serves as the episcopal vicar for the northern counties of the archdiocese.

Biography

Early life

Geraldo Colacicco was born on September 19, 1955, in Poughkeepsie, New York, the eldest of four children of Angelo and Irma Colacicco. Angelo Colacicco worked for the US Postal Service, then became a custodian at St. Mary's Parish in Poughkeepsie.[1] During high school and college, Geraldo Colacicco worked at the St. Mary's rectory. He later identified Reverend Matthew J. Cox from St. Mary's and Reverend Joseph Maria Pernicone from Our Lady of Mount Carmel's Parish in Poughkeepsie as influences on him.[2]

Colacicco graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in history from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, with minors in philosophy and Russian studies. He then entered Saint Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York.[3] During his studies at Saint Joseph's, Colacicco served as a transitional deacon at Sacred Heart Parish in Newburgh, New York.

Priesthood

On November 6, 1982, Colacicco was ordained to the priesthood at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan for the Archdiocese of New York by Cardinal Terence Cooke.[2] The archdiocese assigned Colacicco as parochial vicar at the following New York parishes:

In 1989, Cardinal John O'Connor appointed Colacicco as his priest-secretary. Colacicco then traveled to Rome to study at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, where he received a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1992.

After returning to New York, the archdiocese placed Colacicco as a judge on the metropolitan tribunal. He was also named as director of pastoral formation at Saint Joseph's Seminary. Colacicco left his diocesan positions to become pastor of Sacred Heart in 1996. He remained at Sacred Heart for 16 years. The Vatican elevated Colacicco to the rank of prelate of honor of his holiness in 1999. In 2002, he was transferred to the pastorate of St. Columba's Parish in Hopewell Junction. Colacicco also returned to the metropolitan tribunal for another term in 2007.

Colacicco left St. Columba in 2014 to become administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Millbrook, New York, which became St. Joseph-Immaculate Conception Parish the next year.

Auxiliary Bishop of New York

Pope Francis appointed Colacicco as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New York on October 10, 2019.[4] On December 10, 2019, Colacicco was consecrated as a bishop by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, with Archbishop Henry J. Mansell and Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Walsh acting as co-consecrators.

As auxiliary bishop, Colacicco is the episcopal vicar for the northern counties of the archdiocese which include Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Ulster, and Sullivan counties. In April 2020, as part of the Good Friday liturgy at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Colacicco gave a meditation on the seven last words said to have been spoken by Jesus from the cross. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the service was live-streamed. His reflections were subsequently published in Beneath the Cross.[5]

Colacicco is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is an associate chaplain for the New York State Council of the Knights.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pietrafesa . Dan . 2019-12-04 . Bishop-elect Gerardo J. Colacicco Eager for His Unexpected New Role . 2024-03-03 . Catholic New York.
  2. Web site: Bishop-Elect Gerardo Colacicco . 2024-03-03 . Archdiocese of New York.
  3. Web site: Pope Francis Appoints Marist Alumnus Auxiliary Bishop for Archdiocese of NY . 2024-03-03 . Marist College.
  4. News: Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Bishop John Jenik, Names New Auxiliary Bishops for Archdiocese of New York . October 10, 2019 . US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
  5. Book: Colacicco, Gerardo . Beneath the Cross: Meditations on the Seven Last Words . 2021-02-08 . Jubilee Studio 33 . 978-1-883551-82-7 . 1st.