Fr. David O'Connell: From President of Catholic University to Bishop Elect of Trenton

Bishop-elect O'Connell will be the tenth bishop of Trenton. He has shown great dedication to establishing a dynamic Catholic Identity in his leadership. He demonstrated that at the Catholic University of America. He is a strong proponent of "Ex Corde Ecclesia" (From the Heart of the Church), the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities promulgated by the Venerable John Paul II. 

P>WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Father David O'Connell, a Vincentian priest, is a young man at 55. He has many years of service left for the Lord and His Church. I have been a recipient of the fruit of his authentically Catholic leadership. I just completed my PhD coursework and exams in Moral Theology at Catholic University. I am working on a dissertation.

The program in Moral Theology was in disarray several years before the arrival of Father O'Connell. It is now flourishing, faithful to the Magisterium, academically excellent, and populated with outstanding professors who have changed my life, and the lives of many, many others. Like the rest of the University, it is preparing the "Living Stones" needed for the work of the Church in this Third Christian Millennium.

I know that it was his leadership which had much to do with that turnaround. For that I will always be grateful. I am not alone. He served as the President of Catholic University of America since 1998. He has a License and Doctorate in Canon Law. Though I do not know him personally, I did cross paths with him regularly on campus when I was doing my coursework. He loved to be with the students, of all ages, even us "old guys". His gregarious outgoing manner is inspiring.

One of the highlights of his tenure of service at the Nation's Catholic University was the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. The stories from that visit abound. However one in particular, repeated by the globe's most reliable "Vaticanisti" of Whispers in the Loggia,Rocco Palmo,  has now proven to be more than a story. Rocco wrote:

"As Pope Benedict arrived at the Catholic University of America to address Catholic educators during his 2008 visit to the East Coast, just before the speech the Secret Service's tightly-scripted plans had the school's president riding alone in an elevator with the pontiff.Even most cardinals haven't experienced a moment of the sort. And for months, the thought weighed on David O'Connell's mind.... What would he say?

So the story goes, though, the guest of honor took care of the speaking. "Father, I know what you have done here," Benedict told his host, "and the church is grateful." And then, the doors opened."

Pope Benedict XVI has more work for this good priest to do. Another door to service has now opened. When Fr. O'Connell announced he would be retiring from the Presidency of Catholic University of America, I knew we would be hearing more from this gifted leader. The rumor mill was abuzz that he would be called to Episcopal service. It was more than a rumor. Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Fr. David M. O'Connell to serve as the Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey. 

Bishop Elect O'Connell will automatically succeed Bishop John M. Smith who will turn 75 on June 23 of this year, the retirement age under Canon Law. It is expected that the Holy Father will accept his retirement quickly. Rocco reports the date for Fr. O'Connell's ordination as a bishop has been set for July 30, 2010.  It will take place in the beautiful St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral.
 
Bishop Elect O'Connell told the Press "I am deeply humbled by the Holy Father's confidence in me and feel extraordinarily grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the Church.I am especially delighted by this assignment to Trenton, an area very close to my family home in Langhorne, Pa. Bishop Smith is a wonderful bishop and I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with and to learn from him."

The Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey has 805,000 Catholics in 113 parishes.  The Diocese has 211 diocesan priests, 22 seminarians in formation for priestly service in the diocese, 60 religious order priests, 338 permanent deacons, 376 religious Sisters and 69 religious Brothers. Bishop-elect O'Connell has chosen his Episcopal motto from Mark 10:45, "Ministrare non ministrari," which means, "to serve and not to be served."  He explained to the Press. "This was the text used at Mass during my ordination as a priest. It hit me in such a powerful way that I never forgot it."

Bishop-elect David O'Connell will be the tenth bishop of Trenton. He has shown great dedication to establishing a dynamic Catholic Identity in his leadership. He demonstrated that at the Catholic University of America. He is a strong proponent of "Ex Corde Ecclesia" (From the Heart of the Church), the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities promulgated by the Venerable John Paul II. 

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