Raymond Francis Chappetto (born August 20, 1945) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who was an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York City from 2012 to 2022.


Raymond Francis Chappetto
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Brooklyn
Titular Bishop of Citium
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseNew York
DioceseBrooklyn
AppointedMay 2, 2012
InstalledJuly 11, 2012
RetiredMarch 7, 2022
Other post(s)Titular Bishop of Citium
Orders
OrdinationMay 29, 1971
by Francis Mugavero
ConsecrationJuly 11, 2012
by Nicholas Anthony DiMarzio, Frank Joseph Caggiano, and Octavio Cisneros
Personal details
Born (1945-08-20) August 20, 1945 (age 79)
MottoAn instrument of your peace
Styles of
Raymond Francis Chappetto
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Biography

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Early life

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Raymond F. Chappetto was born on August 20, 1945, in Astoria, New York. Chappetto attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Astoria, then entered Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Brooklyn for his high school studies. He then attended Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in Brooklyn.[1]

Chappetto earned a Master of Divinity degree from Our Lady of the Angels Seminary in Albany, New York. He also holds a Master of Religious Studies degree from Saint John's University in New York City.[1]

Priesthood

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Chappetto was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn by Bishop Francis Mugavero at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn on May 29, 1971.[2][1] After his ordination, the diocese assigned Chappetto as parochial vicar of several parishes in the Borough of Queens in New York City:

Chappetto started his 12-year association with Our Lady of Miracles in Canarsie, Brooklyn, in 1983, first as a member of the team ministry and then as pastor. In 1995, he left Our Lady of Miracles to become episcopal vicar of Brooklyn West. In 1999, Chappetto was assigned as pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in North Floral, Queens.[1]

While at Our Lady of the Snows, he also served as minister for priests and in 2009 was named vicar for clergy and consecrated life. In 2012, after 13 years at Our Lady of the Snows, Chappetto was transferred to be pastor of St. Kevin's Parish in Flushing, Queens. [1]

Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn

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Chappetto was appointed titular bishop of Citium and auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn on May 2, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI.[3] He was consecrated by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio on July 11, 2012.[2] As auxiliary bishop, Chappetto served as the pastor of St. Kevin Parish in Flushing along with vicar general and vicar for clergy and consecrated life for the diocese

Retirement

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On August 20, 2020, Chappetto reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 and submitted his letter of resignation as auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn to Pope Francis, as required by canon law. However, the pope did not accept his resignation at that time.[4][2]

In March 2022, the Vatican commissioned an investigation into Chappetto. He was accused of withholding a memo concerning possible sexual abuse by a diocesan priest.[5] The Vatican was conducting the Chappetto inquiry under the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi, the papal order that governs how bishops handle sexual abuse allegations. In May of 2023, after a thorough investigation, the Dicastery for Bishops determined that the allegations were "manifestly unfounded" and the case was closed.[6]

Francis accepted Chappetto's resignation on March 7, 2022.[4][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Bishop Raymond Chappetto, Vicar General". Diocese of Brooklyn. 2015-05-20. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bishop Raymond Francis Chappetto". Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Pope Names Two Auxiliary Bishops For Brooklyn Diocese". USCCB. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Resignations and Appointments, 07.03.2022" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  5. ^ Pillar, The (10 March 2022). "Brooklyn aux bishop under Vatican investigation, whistleblower resigns". www.pillarcatholic.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  6. ^ Pillar, The (13 May 2024). "Brooklyn diocese: 'Vos estis' finds Chappetto allegations 'unfounded'" www.pillarcatholic.com/p/brooklyn-diocese-vos-estis-investigation. Retrieved 14 May 2024
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