Pope Francis Accepts Bishop Deeley’s Resignation, Appoints New Bishop-Elect for Maine

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert Deeley as the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Portland, serving all of Maine, and has appointed  Reverend James T. Ruggieri as Bishop-elect of Portland.

Bishops submit their resignation upon turning 75. Bishop Deeley is 77 was named the 11th Bishop of Portland on December 18, 2013, and installed as Bishop of Portland on February 14th, 2014.

Bishop-elect Ruggieri is a priest of the Diocese of Providence and currently serves as pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish and St. Michael’s Parish in Providence, Rhode Island.

Father Ruggieri was born on January 12, 1968, in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended public schools in Barrington, Rhode Island, followed by studies at Holy Cross and Providence College (1986-1990), and received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy while attending Our Lady of Providence Seminary. He received a master’s in divinity and a bachelor’s in sacred theology from St. Mary Seminary and University (1990-1995) in Baltimore, Maryland. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Providence on June 24, 1995.

The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on February 13, 2024, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

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