Watch Live: Bishop Richard Henning named new Archbishop of Boston, replacing Cardinal Sean O’Malley

BOSTON – In a monumental announcement, Pope Francis has named Bishop Richard Henning as the next Archbishop of Boston. Bishop Henning will be filling the considerable shoes of retiring Cardinal Sean O’Malley, according to an official statement by the Archdiocese of Boston. The official introduction of Henning will be conducted at a press conference by Cardinal O’Malley at the Pastoral Center in Braintree.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s Impressive Tenure and Retirement

Cardinal O’Malley, 80, has offered years of dedicated service to the Catholic Church in Boston since his ascendancy in 2003, following the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law. His retirement marks an end of an era of steady and committed leadership.

O’Malley is well-known for his outspokenness around issues of accountability within the Church, especially in light of the defrocking of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick in 2019 due to charges of sexual abuse. He underscored the importance of enforceability in managing Cardianals and Bishops, earning him respect within and beyond the local congregation.

O’Malley, originally from Ohio, was appointed Bishop of Fall River in 1992 before becoming Bishop of Palm Beach, Florida in 2002. His subsequent rise to Archbishop of Boston followed in less than a year. In recognition of his leadership and contributions, he was made a Cardinal by then-Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

Getting to know Bishop Richard Henning

Entering this new phase for the Catholic Church in Boston, Bishop Richard Henning, 59, carries experiences from his tenure in New York where he served as a Bishop since 2018. He was designated as the Coadjutor Bishop of Providence by Pope Francis in November 2022 before succeeding Thomas Tobin as Bishop of Providence in May 2023.

Bishop Henning is set to officially take up his post as the Archbishop of Boston on Thursday, October 31, in a grand ceremony at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. As a native New Yorker and experienced Bishop, he brings a fresh perspective to the Archdiocese of Boston. As the Catholic community in Boston prepares for this transition, the anticipation and excitement surrounding Henning’s forthcoming leadership are palpable.

As this new chapter in Boston’s Catholic Church begins, it promises to be one of renewed leadership, faith, and commitment to the community it serves.