BRAINTREE — It was a different feeling in the room this time as Archbishop-elect Richard G. Henning was elevated to a new position within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church for the second time in less than two years.
When he was introduced as Coadjutor Bishop of Providence, in November 2022, Bishop Henning faced a moderate sized crowd and media from about a half dozen local news outlets. On Monday, when he was named by the Holy Father as the archbishop-elect to be installed as the 10th bishop and seventh archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, representatives of about two dozen local and national news outlets were on hand for the press conference at the archdiocese’s chancery building.
“I am grateful to His Holiness Pope Francis for his confidence in me and for his conferral of this new mission as Archbishop of Boston,” Archbishop-elect Henning said. “I receive this appointment relying upon divine Providence, aware that this is the Lord’s Church and that I am no more than an unworthy servant. I would also like to express my gratitude to His Eminence Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap, who has served the Church of Boston for many faithful and joyful years.”
“I ask your prayers that I may cling to the Lord’s Holy Cross, honor His mother, imitate His saints, and love you as His people and His ministers.”
The archbishop-elect also expressed sorrow to the faithful of the Diocese of Providence, where he became Coadjutor Bishop of Providence in a Mass of welcome on January 26, 2023.
He became the ninth Bishop of Providence on May 1, 2023, when the Pope accepted Bishop Thomas J. Tobin’s resignation.
“When I arrived in Rhode Island, I spoke about my delight in the state motto and the fact that I would now live in a state of hope,” Archbishop-elect Henning said in a statement to the Diocese of Providence. “Having now visited communities across Rhode Island, I say with great certainty that it is you, the people of this beautiful state - you are that hope! I will never cease to pray for you, and I hope for your prayers for me.”
Archbishop-elect Henning will be installed as Archbishop of Boston on Thursday, October 31, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.
“On behalf of the entire Archdiocese of Boston, including our priests, religious, deacons, and laity we welcome Archbishop-elect Richard Henning,” Cardinal O’ Malley said of the Holy Father’s appointment to replace him upon his retirement on Oct. 31, at the conclusion of the Synod of Bishops in Rome.
“We extend our deep gratitude to the Holy Father for this appointment demonstrating his ongoing pastoral care for the people of the Archdiocese. I look forward to our people and the wider community getting to know our new archbishop-elect in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. He ministers with the heart of a pastor with a sincere commitment to serving Christ and the Church.”
Newly ordained Bishop of Portland, Maine, James T. Ruggieri, former pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Providence, issued a statement of congratulations to his former shepherd.
“Archbishop-elect Henning is a wonderful choice by the Holy Father to succeed His Eminence Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap as the Archbishop of Boston. During my experience of working with him in the Diocese of Providence, I found him to be an exceptional leader and a very holy man. I am praying for him as he assumes this important new ministry,” Bishop Ruggieri said Monday.
“I offer my sincere thanks and prayers to Cardinal O’Malley on the occasion of his retirement. I am grateful for his many contributions to the Church and was honored and humbled to be ordained and installed by him as bishop here in Maine this past spring.”
In an interview with Rhode Island Catholic, Cardinal O’Malley spoke about some of the qualities that the archbishop-elect embodies that make him an ideal successor to lead the Archdiocese of Boston.
“He certainly is very personable and the fact that he speaks Spanish is a big plus,” he said.
“The arrival of a new archbishop is always a time of renewal and hope,” Cardinal O’Malley said in introducing the new archbishop-elect during the press conference.
“To the people of the archdiocese, Bishop-elect Henning brings the heart of a pastor in his new role. His fluency in Spanish will allow him to engage directly with our large Hispanic Catholic population.”
Archbishop-Elect Henning will take office as Archbishop of Boston on October 31. If the Holy Father has not yet chosen a successor for the Diocese of Providence, the College of Consultors — a body of diocesan priests established by canon law — will elect another diocesan administrator to oversee the diocese in the interim.
In a statement to the faithful of the Diocese of Providence, Archbishop-elect Henning spoke about the strong faith he has encountered in parishes and schools in the past year-and-a-half.
“In the schools across our state, I have met young people with deep faith and great compassion. I have participated in community events, feasts and fairs and seen how many Rhode Islanders will spend hours in a hot kitchen, take up a broom, welcome their neighbors, and give their time for a cause,” he said.
“I also have the highest confidence that the mission of the Church will continue here in Rhode Island. You will continue to live your faith and support your parishes. The priests, deacons and religious will continue to serve generously and joyfully. When the Holy Father appoints the next Bishop of Providence, I know that you will welcome him with open hearts and “coffee an.” I will be sure to congratulate that new bishop and tell him how blessed he will be in the state of hope.”
