Bishop John S. Bonnici became the 10th Bishop of Rochester on Thursday, just over four years after he was consecrated as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. 

More than 1,000 people attended the installation Mass at Rochester’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Ronald Hicks, and Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishops Peter Byrne, Gerardo Colacicco, Joseph Espaillat, and Edmund J. Whalen, vicar for clergy, along with bishops from throughout New York, priests from the archdiocese and Diocese of Rochester, and well-wishers from both the archdiocese and Diocese of Rochester. 

Bishop Bonnici becomes the first Archdiocese of New York auxiliary bishop appointed to lead a diocese since Bishop Dennis Sullivan became Bishop of Camden in 2013. The former pastor of St. Augustine Parish and Sts. John and Paul Parish in Larchmont also becomes the second Archdiocese of New York auxiliary bishop to lead the Diocese of Rochester, following then-Bishop Fulton Sheen, who led the diocese from 1966 until his resignation in 1969. 

“In the midst of this Eucharistic celebration, my heart is filled with love and gratitude,” the new Bishop of Rochester said. 

Knocking on the door 

In a ceremony that recalled the installation of Archbishop Ronald Hicks at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in February, Bishop Bonnici knocked on the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart doors three times, where he was greeted by Archbishop Hicks and Bishop Salvatore Matano, the outgoing Bishop of Rochester, who embraced his successor and invited him in. Bishop Bonnici kissed the foot of a wooden crucifix on a purple pillow, then blessed his brother bishops with holy water, before they processed into the sanctuary. 

Archbishop Hicks began as the Mass’ principal celebrant, before introducing Cardinal Pierre, who read the bull of appointment, Pope Leo XIV’s letter naming the new Bishop of Rochester. “Like every pastor, mindful of the wounds of God’s people, I hope that [Bishop Bonnici] will also carry into this ministry the remembrance of their journey. In this way, you can be united with Christ, who is both crucified and risen, and lives forever. On behalf of the Holy Father, thank you, Bishop Bonnici, for your ministry as bishop and as a priest,” the nuncio said. 

In response to the reading of the letter, Bishop Bonnici said, “With all my heart, I do accept the pastoral care of the people of God in the Diocese of Rochester. I resolve to serve the spiritual needs of this beloved Church.” Cardinal Pierre then presented him with the letter, which Bishop Bonnici, clearly beaming with joy, showed to the other bishops, priests, and to the assembled faithful, who applauded as he walked down the sanctuary’s main aisle. 

Completing the rite of installation, Archbishop Hicks and Bishop Matano led Bishop Bonnici to the cathedra, the bishop’s seat, where he received further applause. 

Listening, learning, loving, living 

Bishop Bonnici began his homily by thanking many people. To Cardinal Dolan, he said, “Words are not adequate to express my gratitude to you, for all you have done for me, as my archbishop, my mentor, my brother, and my friend.” To Bishop Matano, he said, “You are definitely a hard act to follow.” Bishop Matano has served as Bishop of Rochester since 2013. To Archbishop Hicks, he said, “When you said hello a few weeks ago, I said goodbye.” Bishop Bonnici’s appointment to Rochester was announced on January 7, just a few weeks after then-Bishop Hicks was appointed to lead the archdiocese on December 18, 2025. 

He said he wanted to follow Archbishop Hicks’ example by quoting songs relating to his new city in his first homily but was discouraged by some of the titles that an AI-assisted search revealed. “Recommendations were made by way of songs about Rochester, in order of relevance: ‘Let It Snow,’ ‘Winter Wonderland,’ ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside,’ and last but not least, ‘Cold as Ice,'” he joked. Although some snow remained on the ground for his installation, the day was blessed with clear skies and a high of 44 degrees. 

Later in his 29-minute homily, Bishop Bonnici returned to a theme he had raised at his first press conference in Rochester, four principles he learned from Sister Lara Moore at St. Ann’s School in Manhattan that have and will continue to guide him in his new role. 

“Sister Lara was impossible to overlook, small in stature, but soaring in spirit. She sought to help us get acquainted with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Of the many lessons she taught, one was especially enduring. Sister Lara Moore taught us a way to live together with others in the center of the world while remaining centered in Christ. She called them her four Ls, specifically, according to her, they were: listening, learning, loving, and living. These four spiritual guides have remained with me always. They are simple, yet profound. Each has kept me focused, as a deacon and seminarian, a seminary professor, a pastor, and an auxiliary bishop,” Bishop Bonnici said. 

At the close of Mass, Bishop Bonnici once again expressed his gratitude to the many special guests and others in attendance, including his sister. “A dear friend sitting in the front here told me a little word of encouragement: look on the bright side, you’re heading north, and you’re going to have the opportunity to make 320,000 new friends. It might take a while, but I’m looking forward to each and every one of them. 

“So God bless you all, especially the people of Rochester. I am a near-imperfect instrument of God’s grace, pledged to do my best. Pray for me, and I will pray for you. God bless you.” 

A warm welcome 

After Mass, those in attendance reacted to the installation. “I wanted to come. I have never been to the installation of a bishop before,” said a Vietnamese parishioner who gave her name only as Hong. 

“Bishop Matano confirmed me 11 years ago, when I converted to the Catholic faith,” said Richard Wagar, a parishioner of Sts. Isidore and Maria Torribia Parish in Steuben County. “It’s a blessing to come and observe the ceremonies,” he said. 

Among the many priests who attended were Father Christopher Monturo, pastor of Sacred Heart-Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Dobbs Ferry; Father Robert Norris, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Elmsford; Father Stephen Ries, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale; and Father Kareem Smith, pastor of The Church of the Blessed Sacrament in New Rochelle and president of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus. 

Guests of honor from the Archdiocese of New York included John Cahill, chancellor of the archdiocese; Theresa Cullen-Seidel, head of Institutional Commodity Services; Susan George, chief advancement and stewardship officer; Eileen Mulcahy, vice chancellor for parish planning; and Joseph Zwilling, director of communications. 

Following the Mass, Bishop Bonnici attended a reception in his honor, greeting parishioners of his new diocese, along with guests who traveled from the Archdiocese of New York and elsewhere to attend his installation. 

About Bishop Bonnici 

Bishop Bonnici was born on February 17, 1965, in Manhattan, and was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on June 22, 1991, by Cardinal O’Connor. He pursued advanced studies in Rome and at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Washington, D.C., earning a doctorate in sacred theology in 1995, and later served as an adjunct professor of moral theology at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers for 20 years. 

Upon returning to the Archdiocese of New York in 1992, Bishop Bonnici served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Elmsford before going on to serve as pastor of Saint Philip Neri in the Bronx, Saint Columba in Chester, Saint Mary’s in Washingtonville, and Saints Augustine and Sts. John and Paul in Larchmont. Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of New York in 2022, and Pope Leo XIV named him the 10th Bishop of Rochester on January 7, 2026. 

About the Diocese of Rochester 

The Diocese of Rochester was established on March 3, 1868, by Pope Pius IX, carved from the Diocese of Buffalo and entrusted to its first bishop, Bernard J. McQuaid. At its founding, the diocese encompassed eight counties, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Yates, and Tompkins, and was home to approximately 54,500 Catholics worshipping in 35 parishes and 29 mission churches. In 1896, Pope Leo XIII expanded its boundaries by transferring four additional counties, Schuyler, Tioga, Chemung, and Steuben, from the Diocese of Buffalo, bringing the diocese to its current footprint of 12 counties spanning the Greater Rochester metro area on the shores of Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes region, and the Southern Tier of New York State. The diocese serves 86 parishes, with Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester as the seat of the bishop.