The Tablet Staff

SUNSET PARK — Father Kevin Sweeney, who has been appointed by Pope Francis to serve as the eighth bishop of Paterson, New Jersey, will officially assume his new role on July 1.

Bishop-elect Sweeney will be ordained and installed as bishop in a Mass at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Paterson on Wednesday, July 1 at 2 p.m.

He has served as pastor of Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, for 10 years. His appointment as bishop was announced by the Vatican on April 15. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, will ordain Father Sweeney.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, and Bishop Arthur Serratelli, the retiring bishop of Paterson, will serve as principal co-consecrating bishops at the Mass.

The celebration will take place in accord with social distancing rules that are in place in New Jersey at that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Only a limited number of tickets will be issued to attend the Mass. The event will be livestreamed on the website of the Diocese of Paterson.

On Tuesday, June 30, the night before the ordination, Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 7 p.m. in preparation for the big event the following day.