‘It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve’
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Pope Francis on Monday morning accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Raymond F. Chappetto of Brooklyn.
“It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve for 51 years as a priest, 10 of those years as a Bishop, for the great Diocese of Brooklyn,” Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Chappetto said in a statement. “I am grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and to Bishops DiMarzio and Brennan, for their support of my ministry.”
He submitted his resignation to the Holy Father on his 75th birthday, as all bishops are required to do by Canon law, on Aug. 20, 2020.
Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn on Monday morning thanked Bishop Chappetto for his service in the diocese, and for helping him have a smooth transition after his installation as bishop in November.
“I share the appreciation of so many in the diocese for Bishop Chappetto’s many years of dedicated service here in Brooklyn and Queens,” Bishop Brennan said. “Personally, I thank him for staying on beyond the retirement age to assist with the transition, and to Pope Francis for allowing that.”
.@Pontifex has accepted the resignation of the @BrooklynDiocese's Auxiliary Bishop Raymond F. Chappetto. I share the appreciation of so many in the diocese for Bishop Chappetto’s many years of dedicated service here in Brooklyn and Queens. pic.twitter.com/8cBribotjF
— Bishop Robert Brennan (@bishopofbklyn) March 7, 2022
Bishop Emeritus DiMarzio told The Tablet it was a pleasure to work with Bishop Chappetto over the years. He described him as “a pastoral man in everything that he did.”
“He was always first a priest and a bishop and administrator second,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “He brought a certain human touch to the work he did so it was very encouraging.”
Bishop Chappetto was born on Aug. 20, 1945, in Astoria. He studied at Cathedral College in Brooklyn and was awarded a Master of Divinity from Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany. He holds a Master of Arts in religious education from St. John’s University and is certified in pastoral counseling.
St. John’s University spokesperson Brian Browne said the school is grateful for Bishop Chappetto’s service to the diocese and his continued visibility at the university.
“For more than 50 years, Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto has been a wonderful shepherd to the people of [the diocese], particularly in the ways of serving the less fortunate, reaching out to young people, and being a visible presence in the everyday life of the faithful,” Browne said. “A frequent visitor to his alma mater, St. John’s University, we are grateful for his service, his years of diocesan leadership, and his continued example of a well-lived and faith-filled life.”
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Raymond Chappetto, 76, from the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn: https://t.co/kFoavX9Jb1
— U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (@USCCB) March 7, 2022
Bishop Chappetto was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1971, and served a number of parishes in Brooklyn and Queens, and as an episcopal vicar for Brooklyn West. In 1997, then-Father Chappetto was named a monsignor by Saint John Paul II.
Bishop Chappetto’s longest time at one parish was from 1999 to 2012 when he was pastor of Our Lady of the Snows in Floral Park. While there, Bishop Chappetto was named Pastor of the Year by the National Catholic Educational Association in 2008. During his time at Our Lady of the Snows he was also named minister for priests, and in 2009 vicar for clergy and consecrated life, a position that he held until 2021.