December 22, 2014

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne appointed as the Bishop of Burlington, Vermont

A message from Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin:

This morning Pope Francis appointed our friend and colleague, Auxiliary Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, as the bishop of Burlington, Vermont. The appointment was announced in Roma at noon (6:00 AM EST).

Bishop Coyne replaces Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, who was appointed to lead the Diocese of Rochester, N.Y., in November of 2013. Established in 1853, the Diocese of Burlington includes the entire state of Vermont. The state population in 2008 was recorded at 623,908 residents, with 118,000 Roman Catholics. The Diocese of Burlington has 84 active priests, 44 permanent deacons, and 153 sisters ministering in 78 parishes and 41 missions. The diocese includes 12 elementary schools, two high schools, and a catechetical program with an estimated 1,100 lay teachers instructing almost 12,800 students.

Later this morning Bishop Coyne will be introduced at a press conference in Burlington, where he will meet with diocesan staff and members of the local media. The date for his installation still has not yet been announced. The Archdiocese will host a farewell celebration for Bishop Coyne before his definitive departure for Vermont.

Bishop Coyne, 56, has been an auxiliary bishop in Indianapolis since 2011 and served as the apostolic administrator in the period between the retirement of Archbishop Daniel Buechlein and my appointment on October 18, 2012. For the last two years he served as vicar general, and, most recently, had special responsibilities in the New Albany, Seymour and Tell City deaneries and as administrator of Sacred Heart and St. Augustine parishes in Jeffersonville.

While I am delighted for Bishop Coyne and the diocese that has been entrusted to his pastoral care, I shall miss his companionship and personal gifts. I know that all the members of the Archdiocese join me in thanking God for his unselfish labor as archdiocesan administrator and auxiliary bishop. Let us pray for him, especially during the time of transition.

+Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.

Local site Links: