| Most Rev. Robert Joseph Baker | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| See | Birmingham in Alabama |
| In Office | August 14, 2007 — present |
| Predecessor | Most Rev. David E. Foley |
| Successor | incumbent |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 4, 1944 Willard, Ohio |
| Styles of Robert Baker |
|
|---|---|
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Robert J. Baker (b. June 4, 1944 Willard, Ohio) is an American Roman Catholic prelate who serves as the Bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. He was appointed to this post by Pope Benedict XVI on August 14, 2007 and installed on October 2, 2007. He has written several books.
He was ordained for the diocese of St Augustine in 1970 and sent to Rome for doctoral studies in dogmatic theology shortly thereafter. He has served in turns as a parish priest, campus minister and seminary formator before being tapped to lead the Diocese of Charleston in 1999. As bishop of Charleston, Baker presided over rapid growth, thanks to a combination of adult converts, (the state's Catholic population boomed by almost 40% to over 175,000 during his tenure). He also dedicated new or expanded churches, schools and parish facilities has been both the imperative and the norm. The Diocese of Charleston bishopric was filled Jan. 24, 2009 by Bishop-Elect Msgr. Robert E. Guglielmone, formerly rector of St. Agnes Cathedral of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York.
| Preceded by David B. Thompson |
Bishop of Charleston 1999–2007 |
Succeeded by Robert E. Guglielmone |
| Preceded by David Edward Foley |
Bishop of Birmingham 2007–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |