Bishop James T. Ruggieri
On February 13, 2024, Pope Francis appointed Father James T. Ruggieri to be the 13th Bishop of Portland. Bishop Ruggieri, a priest of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, will be ordained a bishop and installed on May 7, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. He succeeds Bishop Robert P. Deeley, who will retire from active ministry at that time.
“I am honored and humbled to have been chosen as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Portland by the Holy Father,” said Most Rev. Ruggieri. “I very much look forward to diving right into getting to know all who make up the diocese, especially the priests and parishioners. I am grateful that Bishop Deeley will retire in Maine and provide me with valuable support.”
Bishop Ruggieri was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of John and Irene (Paolino) Ruggieri and was educated in Barrington, Rhode Island, public schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from Providence College and a Master of Divinity degree from St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1995, at the Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul in Providence and has served as a priest in the Diocese of Providence since that time. He has been the pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Providence for the past 20 years, and since 2020, he has also served as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Providence.
Bishop Ruggieri was introduced the people of Maine on the day of his appointment as bishop, sharing his excitement during a morning press conference.
"I am very excited, and I look forward to meeting the priests and the people of our diocese," he said. "Not being a bishop previously, I have a lot to learn obviously, and quickly though."
Following his introduction, Bishop Ruggieri toured the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Bishop Deeley.
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Announcement from Bishop Deeley and the Diocese of Portland
