Resignation and appointment of bishop of Albany, U.S.A.

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Albany, United States of America, presented by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger.

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Mark W. O’Connell, hitherto titular of Gigti and auxiliary of Boston, as bishop of Albany, United States of America.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Mark W. O’Connell was born on 25 June 1964 in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, in the metropolitan archdiocese of Toronto.

After studying philosophy at Boston College and theology at Saint John Seminary in Brighton, he was awarded a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.

He was ordained a priest on 16 June 1990 for the metropolitan archdiocese of Boston.

He has held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint Barbara in Woburn (1990-1995) and of Saint Mary of the Annunciation in Danvers (1995-1997); chaplain at Salem State College in Salem (1995-1997); assistant to the Moderator of the Curia for Canonical Affairs (2001-2007); adjunct judicial vicar (2002-2007); professor of canon law at Saint John Seminary (2006-2016); vice chancellor and judicial vicar (2007-2016).

On 3 June 2016, he was appointed titular bishop of Gigti and auxiliary of Boston, receiving episcopal consecration the following 24 August.