Pope Names Metuchen Bishop As Future Leader Of New Orleans Archdiocese

METUCHEN, NJ - Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop James F. Checchio of the Diocese of Metuchen as Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans, the Catholic Church announced Tuesday.

Under Canon Law, a Coadjutor bishop assists the current diocesan bishop until retirement. Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond will continue leading the Archdiocese of New Orleans until the Pontiff accepts his resignation, at which point Checchio will automatically succeed him.

"The Archdiocese of New Orleans is an historic local Church with committed clergy and religious, two large seminary communities and a wonderful, faith-filled laity," Checchio said in a statement. "I am certainly grateful to our Lord and to His vicar, Pope Leo XIV, for sending me to be a part of such a beautiful community."

Checchio reflected on his nine years leading the Metuchen Diocese, calling it "a grace-filled and privileged time." He promised continued prayers for Metuchen's faithful while pledging to dedicate himself to serving New Orleans.

"As I now prepare to leave Metuchen and the priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful whom I have grown more deeply in love each year, I promise them my ongoing daily prayers while assuring the good people of the Archdiocese of New Orleans that I will dedicate myself to praying for and serving you," Checchio said.

Checchio was raised in Collingswood, NJ, where he attended St. John School, and went on to Pope Paul VI High School in Haddon Township. The 59-year-old Camden native was ordained a priest in 1992 and earned doctorate and license degrees in Canon Law from Rome's University of St. Thomas Aquinas. He served as Rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome from 2006 to 2016 before being appointed Bishop of Metuchen.

As Metuchen's bishop, Checchio prioritized parish visits and child protection initiatives, implementing an independent reporting service for bishop abuse allegations before Pope Francis mandated similar measures church-wide.

Checchio currently serves as Treasurer of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and was recently named to the Holy See's Dicastery for the Clergy. He has also served as Catholic Chaplain to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans, founded in 1793, serves over 505,000 Catholics across 104 parishes in a 4,208-square-mile area.

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