· Announced retirement Oct. 2, 2009, as 14th President of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., after 12-year tenure
· Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton on May 24, 2010
· Public announcement of episcopal appointment June 4, 2010
· Consecrated and ordained Bishop July 30, 2010
· Succeeded Bishop John M. Smith as Ordinary Dec. 1, 2010
· Reorganization of the Curia in 2011, creating the position of Executive Director of Catholic Social Service and appointing Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress as its first occupant
During the opening procession of his Episcopal Ordination Mass July 30, 2010, Bishop-elect O’Connell kisses his mother, June, who was seated in the first pew in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Craig Pittelli photo
· Named Anthony Mingarino first lay Chancellor in the Diocese’s history in 2013, succeeded in 2017 by Terry Ginther as first woman Chancellor
· Convened the first Eucharistic Congress in New Jersey, Oct. 12-14, 2012
· Shepherded the Diocese through recovery from Superstorm Sandy beginning in late October, 2012
· Reviewed and revised the diocesan program for Diaconate formation mandating candidates to obtain a Master’s Degree in Theology
· Ordained 35 priests and approximately 100 deacons
· Established diocesan participation in the V Encuentro Process, organizing a diocesan plan for Hispanic Ministry
Pope Benedict XVI greets Bishop David M. O’Connell of Trenton, N.J., during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 7. Bishop O’Connell and other New Jersey bishops were making their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Dec. 7, 2011) See POPE-AUDIENCE Dec. 7, 2011.
Paul Haring
· Has been a prolific and impactful voice in Catholic communications, writing regularly for The Monitor’s print and digital media; recording messages for video distribution and broadcasting a monthly radio program, “The Shepherd’s Voice,” on Domestic Church Radio since 2010.
· Founded an Oratory of St. Philip Neri at St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank, which, with Vatican approval, became a Congregation of Pontifical Right in April, 2024
· Launched the “Faith in Our Future” initiative – 2015 to 2020 – resulting in merging of parishes and several linkages: “right-sizing’” pastoral ministries for the future. Initiated collaboration between neighboring parishes in the interest of evangelization and good stewardship which continues to grow.
· Established St. Robert Bellarmine Parish and Church in Freehold as the Co-Cathedral of the Diocese in February, 2017.
· With 15% of the Diocese serving Hispanic and Latino communities, Identified and established 18 parishes as Centers for Hispanic Ministry
· Launched the “Faith to Move Mountains” fundraising capital campaign, the first endowment campaign for Diocese raising more than $70 million
· Approved “Together in Mission” Framework for Evangelization according to the family lifecycle
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., receives gifts from children in St. Gregory the Great Academy, Hamilton Square, after celebrating Mass at the end of Catholic Schools Week in January, 2020. Mike Ehrmann photo
Michael Ehrmann
· Established Diocesan Year of Youth in 2018 to help increase young Catholics’ engagement as disciples of Jesus, cultivate a positive attitude about living and witnessing their faith, and inspire parishes to celebrate and encourage youth participation in parish life; authored a “Young Saint Series,” featuring the lives of young saints to help young people come to know them as inspiring models of holiness
· Published a Catechetical Series on the Eucharist in 2022 to re-present the Catholic Church’s understanding of the Holy Eucharist as the Lord Jesus Christ’s own Body and Blood
· Guided the Diocese through the COVID-19 pandemic, initiating online outreach to the faithful and health safety protocols
· Supported training and standards for Parish Catechetical Leaders and catechist formation
· Participated in the Synod on Synodality; listening to more than 4,000 persons, having supported training more than 80 facilitators
· Named Blessed Carlo Acutis the patron of the Diocese’s Catholic schools and young people in April, 2022, and dedicating the diocesan Shrine of Blessed Carlo Acutis at St. Dominic Church in Brick, in October, 2023
· Supported the creation of the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit which has been visited by more than 25,000 people and emulated in many dioceses across the nation
· Led the Diocese in participation in the National Eucharistic Revival
Antonia Salzano, mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, left, was present for the Oct. 1, 2023 dedication of the new diocesan shrine named in memory of her son in St. Dominic Church, Brick. Bishop O’Connell presided at the dedication. Mike Ehrmann photo
· Created the diocesan Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Shrine at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in New Monmouth in 2022
· Guided the faithful to resume full involvement after a post-COVID drop. By 2025, the Diocese saw a substantial recovery of both Mass attendance and financial support to the Church
· Supported Catholic Charities, Mount Carmel Guild, CYO, Holy Innocents Society and many Catholic agencies supporting individuals and families in need
· Established a second retirement home for priests, Villa St. Denis in Manasquan in 2023
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., listens to presenters during the USCCB’s Nov. 13-16, 2023, plenary assembly in Baltimore. Staff photo
· Established a second diocesan collection for retired, elderly and infirmed priests on the occasion of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, instituted by Pope Francis
in 2021
· Commissioned a Eucharistic Revival homiletic series for the Eucharistic Revival in the Parish 2023-2024, which included the work of 13 priests, and featured sample homilies – in English and Spanish
· Launched programs for “Strengthening Marriages”
· Was elected by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to serve as chairman of the Committee on Education, for a term beginning in November, 2024; he has also served the Church through his membership on several institutional boards and national committees
A Bishop’s View