COURTESY PHOTO
Bishop-elect Robert P. Reed.
BY THOR JOURGENSEN
BRAINTREE — Named by Pope Francis to be an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, the Rev. Robert P. Reed has roots in Swampscott.
Reed and the Very Rev. Mark O’Connell were announced as bishops-elect by Cardinal Sean O’Malley on Friday. Reed is the president and CEO of iCatholic Media and Cabinet Secretary for Catholic Media. O’Connell is judicial vicar for the Archdiocese.
“My gratitude goes to Pope Francis for this appointment and his example of a joyful life motivated by the Gospel. I am equally thankful to Cardinal Seán for his confidence in me as one of his priests. My life and work as a priest is one of service, not privilege. For me, today is a summons to an even deeper service in the name of Jesus, our only hope,” Reed said in a statement.
The youngest of five children, he attended the former St. John the Evangelist elementary school and was educated at St. John’s Preparatory School. He prepared for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
Reed holds an advanced degree in Television Management from Boston University’s College of Communication. His work at The CatholicTV Network has included serving as director of educational development, assistant director and director.
He is director of the Radio Apostolate for the Archdiocese and assists at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish in Newton and St. Bonaventure Parish in Plymouth. Reed is the author of “Renewed: Ten Ways to Rediscover the Saints, Embrace Your Gifts and Revive Your Catholic Faith.”
Cardinal O’Malley will ordain Reed and O’Connell to the episcopacy on the Feast of Saint Bartholomew on Aug. 24 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.
“In Bishops-elect Reed and O’Connell the Holy Father has selected two gifted priests as auxiliary bishops. They exemplify the heart of a pastor and joyfully bring the Gospel to life in their daily ministry. These kind and humble priests bless us with their prayerful commitment to serve the faithful with grace and a deep and abiding love for Christ,” said O’Malley in a statement.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
