CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Jerome Feudjio, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to head the diocese, as first reported by the National Catholic Reporter.
He succeeds Bishop Herbert A. Bevard of St. Thomas, whose resignation was accepted by Pope Francis September 18, 2020. The pope named now-Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington to serve as apostolic administrator. St. Thomas is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Washington.
Bishop-designate Feudjio, 55, also is rector of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in the city of Charlotte Amalie. He was ordained a priest of the diocese September 29, 1990.
The appointment was announced in Washington March 2 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio.
“I readily join the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands today in warmly welcoming Pope Francis’ appointment of Msgr. Jerome Feudjio as the sixth bishop of this local church,” Gregory said in a statement.
Feudjio “is no stranger to the people of the diocese. His long history of service and pastoral dedication to the people of this community of faith are well known and widely respected,” the cardinal said.
“He now begins a new chapter in his own life and in all of your lives as well. Please keep him in your prayers as he transitions into his new office as I am certain he will hold all of you securely in his daily prayers from this day forward,” he added.
The newly named bishop was announced and welcomed at a livestreamed gathering that morning at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, where he was ordained 31 years ago before serving in many roles for the Diocese of St. Thomas.
“It has been a blessing and a privilege to serve this diocese along with my brother priests, the deacons, the religious and the laity. I am whom I am today because of you,” Feudjio said.
He thanked the people of the diocese for accepting him and guiding him with love and patience since his ordination, noting, “You have nurtured my faith and challenged me to be the best I can be.”
The bishop-designate expressed special thanks to Pope Francis, saying he was humble and grateful to the pope “for the honor and trust he places in me by appointing me to this high office.”
He also thanked his predecessor Bevard “for his leadership, love and dedication during his episcopacy in the Diocese of St. Thomas,” and he thanked Gregory and Pierre for their support and guidance.
SOURCE: NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER