Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne Formally Succeeds Archbishop Leonard P. Blair as Archbishop of Hartford

Posted on May 01, 2024 in: News

The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne Formally Succeeds Archbishop Leonard P. Blair as Archbishop of Hartford

At 6 AM local time (noon in Rome) today, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Leonard P. Blair upon reaching the retirement age of 75. At the same time, the Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne immediately assumed office as sixth Archbishop and 14th Bishop of Hartford.

A Mass to mark the inauguration of his ministry will be held on Sunday, May 5th at 11 AM, as the Archbishop takes possession of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, the mother church of the Archdiocese.

Upon his succession as chief shepherd of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Coyne said, “After a year of listening and learning the joys and the hopes, the griefs and anxieties of God’s People here in Hartford, I am excited to set out with you on this new stage of our journey together as Church. As I ask the prayers of all people of good will that our work might bear abundant fruit, I pledge to you that I will strive everyday to be a faithful image of the Good Shepherd, who welcomes the lost and protects those who struggle. Today, Jesus calls us to be ‘a Church that goes out’ to the changing world around us, and I invite my new family of faith to join me in meeting this moment with a renewed energy for our mission to bring Christ’s light, peace, and hope to our families, our neighbors, and everyone in this place we call home.”

As Metropolitan Archbishop, Archbishop Coyne oversees the Ecclesiastical Province of Hartford, which comprises all of Connecticut and Rhode Island, encompassing the Dioceses of Bridgeport, Norwich, and Providence. On June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, he will receive the Pallium, an ancient symbol of the Archbishop’s office, from Pope Francis at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Pallium will be conferred on Archbishop Coyne by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio (papal ambassador) to the United States, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford on Monday, October 14, 2024.

The Archdiocese of Hartford serves approximately 469,000 Catholics in 115 parishes and 36 schools across Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven Counties. Established as a diocese in 1843 by Pope Gregory XVI, the local church was elevated as an Archdiocese in 1941 by Pope Pius XII.

 

Biography

Archbishop Coyne is an uncle to 11 nieces and nephews. Through the gift of his extended family, he’s additionally blessed with the love and goodness of many aunts, uncles and cousins. A product of public education in his hometown, Archbishop Coyne graduated from Woburn High School in 1976, while working through both high school and college as a dishwasher, sporting goods salesman, lifeguard and musician. After college he worked full time as a bartender for two years before entering the seminary. Archbishop Coyne is a lifelong Patriots, Celtics and Bruins fan, a Maine beach bum and hopes to return soon as an avid skier and golfer.

Ministry as Archbishop

• Coadjutor Archbishop of Hartford (June 2023 –)

Ministry as Bishop

• Titular bishop of Mopta and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (January 2011 – December 2014)
• Apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (September 2011 – December 2012)
• Vicar general of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (March 2011 – December 2014)
• Bishop for the southern region of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (October 2014 – December 2014)
• Bishop of Burlington (December 2014 – October 2023) National Offices (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
• Chairman of USCCB Communications (elected November 2014; term 2015 – 2018)
• Member of USCCB Evangelization and Catechesis Committee (2012 – 2017)
• Member of USCCB Committee on Divine Worship (2017 – present)

Ministry as Priest

• Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston (June 1986)
• Parochial Vicar, St. Mary of the Hills, Milton, Massachusetts (1986 – 1989)
• Professor of Sacred Liturgy and Homiletics, St. John’s Seminary, Brighton (1994 – 2003); adjunct faculty (2003 – 2006)
• Director of the Office of Worship, Archdiocese of Boston (2000 – 2002)
• Secretary for communications/principal spokesman, Archdiocese of Boston (2002 – 2005)
• Pastor, Our Lady Help of Christians, Newton, Massachusetts (2005)
• Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Parish, Westwood, Massachusetts (2006 – 2011)

Education

• Attended Woburn public schools; graduated from Woburn High School (1976)
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Lowell (1980)
• Master of Divinity, St. John’s Seminary, Boston (1986)
• Licentiate (1992) and Doctorate (1994) in Sacred Liturgy; Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant’Anselmo, Rome

Awards

• Nominated for a regional Emmy award (2002) for 13-part television series,“Sacred Space” (aired on CatholicTV)
• Winner of both a judged Telly and People’s Telly Award for the internet series “Everything You Wanted to Know About Catholic Liturgy” (2014)

 

Archbishop Blair Addresses the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Hartford

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!

Posted on June 17, 2025 in: News, Events

1471

Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!
Middle School and High School youth are invited to a special hike with Bishop Reidy on Saturday, July 19th at 10:00 A.M. at Hurd State Park in East Hampton. Hurd State Park provides the perfect backdrop for a meaningful outdoor adventure, blending fun, exercise, scenic views, and moments of spiritual reflection. The park's flexible trails, peaceful riverside spots, and stunning overlooks make it an ideal place to connect with nature and one another. What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and a picnic lunch. Parents are welcome, and Youth Groups are encoura...

Read More

Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators

Posted on June 17, 2025 in: News, School News

1080

Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators
There are several current job openings for educators in our diocese.  The positions are updated weekly, so be sure to bookmark this page in your browser-  NorwichDiocese.org/Employment Click Here to See the Current Open Positions  All candidates must complete the official professional application to be considered for a teaching position or principal position and submit it to the Diocesan School Office. Applications are available on the employment page of the website. Visit NorwichDiocese.org/Employment to view all of the open jobs in the di...

Read More

Pray for the Pope: Join the Sacred Heart Novena June 19–27
Knights of Columbus Launches Sacred Heart Novena for Pope Leo XIV New Haven, Conn. — The Knights of Columbus have announced a special novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the intention of Pope Leo XIV, beginning June 19—his anniversary of priestly ordination—and concluding June 27, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly is encouraging Knights, their families, and all people of goodwill to participate in the novena and to submit personal prayer intentions, which he will personally bring to Rome later this Jubilee Year. P...

Read More

Prayer for Our Nation

Posted on July 03, 2025 in: News

624

Prayer for Our Nation
  Prayer for Our Nation   God our Father, Giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people. Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind Your people that true happiness is r...

Read More

Public Policy Office of Catholic Church Scores Wins in State’s Legislative Session
The Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference achieved “successes we were happy about” during the 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session, according to Deacon David Reynolds, the Conference’s associate director for public policy.  “Legislation dealing with abortion, transgender rights and immigration reflected the conflict between existing state law and the recently revised federal laws and regulations,” he says. “The good news is the Conference’s efforts to stop harmful legislation in the areas of abortion and gender-affi...

Read More

St. Vincent de Paul Place Norwich Celebrates New Elevator
On June 24, St. Vincent de Paul Place (SVdPP) in Norwich held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a new elevator, enhancing accessibility for clients and streamlining the movement of donations. Bishop Richard F. Reidy, at right, blessed the elevator and attendees, and SVdPP Executive Director Jill Corbin emphasized the project as a shared commitment to “accessibility and dignity.” The $3.3 million project, which began over two years ago, was funded through a combination of state support, in the form of $1.7 million from Connecticut’s Department ...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Prayer for Our Nation
With Pope's Support, Vatican to Publish Document on Synod's Final Phase
Pope Leo XIV’s Marriage Advice? Keep Calm and Pray the Rosary
Archdiocese Is Selected for National Parent and Family Faith Project
We Can Help. Promise to Protect-Pledge to Heal.
Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV Recommend This Book, Which Warns of a World Without God
Marriage Encounter Experience- August 15-17
Calendar of Events

 

Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294