Over the course of Nov. 17 and 18, the Archdiocese of New Orleans welcomed Coadjutor Archbishop James F. Checchio with Solemn Vespers at Saint Dominic Church and a Mass of Welcome at Saint Louis Cathedral.
At Solemn Vespers on Nov. 17, Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio – a native of Camden – took an Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith in front of a full church. Those in the pews included a gathering of visiting bishops, more than 100 priests and deacons, Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio’s family and friends, and the faithful of New Orleans. Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond presided over the Vespers, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York was the homilist.
The following day, to the sounds of trumpets, timpani and the Saint Louis Cathedral Choir, more than 1,000 people were welcomed into Saint Louis Cathedral, including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Joseph Williams and Bishop Emeritus Dennis Sullivan were also among the clergy in attendance. During the Mass of Welcome, Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio was officially celebrated in his new ministry.
Before reading the Apostolic Mandate, Cardinal Pierre conveyed the spiritual closeness and affection of Pope Leo XIV.
“Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio, we rejoice that the Holy Father has called you to this new ministry in the life of this historic local Church,” Cardinal Pierre said. “Your priestly and episcopal service – shaped by pastoral work, by the formation of future clergy and by varied responsibilities in the wider Church – has prepared you well for the mission entrusted to you today.”
“You bring to this people a steady judgment, a shepherd’s heart, and a breadth of experience that will serve them with generosity and fidelity,” he added.
In his homily, Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio reminded all that they are called to love like Jesus.
“The busyness of life and storms distract us. We need to stay focused and try to be saints, not just on Sunday afternoons,” he said to laughs from the New Orleans Saints fans in attendance. “Each of us has faced storms in our lives … they do not define us. This cathedral has faced storms throughout its 232 years of existence and has rebuilt, with Christ who does not disappoint. He helps us recover.”
He continued, “I am so grateful … to join my voice to yours and praise our Father and hopefully add to your good and charitable works. Together, we are so privileged to write the next chapter of this archdiocese.”
Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio, who was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Camden in 1992, was the Bishop of Metuchen before being appointed to New Orleans on Sept. 24 by Pope Leo XIV. As coadjutor, Archbishop Checchio will assist Archbishop Aymond and automatically succeed him upon retirement.
Story courtesy of the Clarion Herald, the Catholic newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
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