| The Most Reverend John O. Barres |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of Allentown | |
| Diocese | Allentown |
| Enthroned | July 30, 2009 |
| Predecessor | Edward Peter Cullen |
| Successor | incumbent |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | October 21, 1989 |
| Consecration | July 30, 2009 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1960 Larchmont, New York |
| Alma mater | Princeton University New York University Catholic University of America |
| Styles of John Barres |
|
|---|---|
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
| Posthumous style | not applicable |
John Oliver Barres ( /ˈbærɪs/ barr-is; born September 20, 1960) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as Bishop of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Contents |
The fifth of six children, John Barres was born to Oliver and Marjorie (née Catchpole) Barres in Larchmont, New York.[1] His parents were Protestant ministers who met each other at Yale Divinity School, but later converted to Catholicism in 1955; his father wrote of their conversion in the book One Shepherd, One Flock, which includes forewords by Avery Dulles and Benedict Groeschel.[2][3] Barres was baptized by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.[2]
He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, before studying at Princeton University, from where he obtained a B.A. in English literature, and at New York University's School of Business Administration, there earning a M.B.A. in management (1984).[1] He received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1988, and a licentiate in systematic theology from the Catholic University of America, where he received his seminary formation at its Theological College.[1] He then furthered his studies in Rome at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, earning Licentiate of Canon Law in 1998 and a Doctorate in Spirituality in 1999.
Barres was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Robert Mulvee on October 21, 1989. He served as an associate pastor at Holy Family Church in Newark, Delaware, until 1992, and at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington from 1992 to 1996.[2] He then returned to the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, where he earned a doctorate in theology in 1999; his thesis was entitled: "Jean-Jacques Olier's Priestly Spirituality: Mental Prayer and Virtue as the Foundation for the Direction of Souls."[2]
Upon his return to the United States in 1999, Barres became vice-chancellor for the Diocese of Wilmington coordinator of institutional chaplains.[1] In 2000, he was named diocesan chancellor and a Chaplain to His Holiness.[2] He was also made a Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in November 2005. He served on various diocesan boards and committees, as well as the Administrative Board of the Maryland Catholic Conference, the Board of St. Francis Hospital, and the Board of the Cathedral Foundation.[2]
In addition to his duties as chancellor, he briefly became pastor of Church of the Holy Child in Wilmington in May 2009.[4]
He is a member of the Roman Catholic organization: Opus Dei.
On May 27, 2009, Barres was appointed the fourth Bishop of Allentown, Pennsylvania, by Pope Benedict XVI.[5] He succeeds Bishop Edward Cullen, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in March 2008, and received his episcopal consecration on July 30, 2009 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena. As Bishop of Allentown, Barres is the spiritual leader of over 276,000 Catholics in the Lehigh Valley and Berks County.[5] He is also Allentown's first diocesan bishop from outside the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.[4]
On July 30, 2009, Barres was ordained a Bishop and installed as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, was the ordaining bishop, and Bishops Malooly and Saltarelli were the co-ordaining bishops.
In addition to his native English, he is fluent in Italian, French, and Spanish.[4]
| Preceded by Edward Peter Cullen |
Bishop of Allentown 2009–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |