Speaking With A Higher Voice

Pope Francis Names Rev. Roy Edward Campbell, Jr. as Auxiliary Bishop for Archdiocese of Washington

As the holiest season of the year comes to the Washington DC metro area, a new voice from Prince George’s will come to the pulpit.

Pope Francis today named Rev. Roy Edward Campbell, Jr., age 69, pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Largo, Md., as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington. Bishop-elect Campbell will assist Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, who serves as spiritual leader to over 620,000 Catholics living in Washington, D.C. and suburban and southern Maryland.

The role of an auxiliary bishop is to assist the diocesan bishop in meeting the pastoral needs of the diocese. In the archdiocese, there are currently two other auxiliary bishops, Bishop Barry C. Knestout and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville.

“All of us in the Archdiocese are deeply grateful that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has named Father Roy Campbell to be an auxiliary bishop in our Church of Washington,” said Cardinal Wuerl upon the announcement from Rome. “Father Campbell, who was born, grew up, worked and served in this archdiocese, brings to his new ministry recognized talent and demonstrated ability. He also bears witness to the great cultural and ethnic richness of the Church of Washington reflected in all of the faithful, lay, religious and clergy. Personally I look forward to continuing to work closely with our new auxiliary bishop, who over the years has made significant contributions to the pastoral life of this archdiocese.”

A life-long resident of the Archdiocese of Washington, born in southern Maryland, and raised in the District of Columbia, Bishop-elect Campbell attended Bruce Elementary, Shrine of the Sacred Heart School, Archbishop Carroll High School and Howard University. His parish assignments included Saint Augustine, Immaculate Conception, and Assumption parishes in Washington and his current assignment as pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Largo. 

Bishop-elect Campbell’s episcopal ordination will take place on April 21.

For more on Bishop-elect Campbell, go to http://adw.org/bishop-roy-campbell/