BRIGHTON, Mass. — Archbishop Richard Henning has announced the appointment of Bishop Robert P. Reed as the 23rd Rector of Saint John’s Seminary. He succeeds Msgr. Stephen E. Salocks ’80, who is retiring after nearly four decades of dedicated service, including almost eight years as Rector.
Bishop Robert P. Reed, a native of Boston, was born in 1959 to the late William and Jeanne Reed, the youngest of five children. He received his early education at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts, before beginning his priestly formation at St. John Seminary in Brighton. He continued his studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College, earning advanced degrees from the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).
In addition to his theological training, Bishop Reed pursued studies in television management at Boston University’s College of Communication, blending his pastoral calling with a deep interest in television and digital media.
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1985, he served as pastor of seven parishes over the course of his ministry. In 2016, he was consecrated a bishop and appointed Regional Bishop for the West Region of the Archdiocese of Boston.
Bishop Reed is President of The CatholicTV Network and CEO of its parent organization, iCatholic Media, Inc., which encompasses a parish bulletin service, a printing company, and The Pilot—the nation’s oldest continuously published Catholic newspaper.
He previously chaired the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Communications and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as well as the Board of Governors for the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
“I am so grateful for Bishop Reed’s service to the Church of Boston and his important work in sharing the faith through media. He will bring experience and authenticity as a priest and bishop to this critical work of forming future priests for the Church. I look forward to working with Bishop Reed and the Board and faculty to maintain the high quality of academics and formation at Saint John’s Seminary.”
— Most Reverend Richard Henning
I was both surprised and deeply honored to be invited to this role by Archbishop Henning, the other bishops, and the Board of Trustees. I look forward to learning from them, as well as from the extensive institutional knowledge of Msgr. Salocks, to whom we are all profoundly indebted. I anticipate working closely with the faculty and staff of Saint John’s Seminary, drawing on their personal expertise and experience as a formation team.
Having served as a Catholic priest for over 40 years—in the parish and the “parish of the airwaves,” I understand the seminary to be the heart of the dioceses it serves. From this community of faith, men, led by the Holy Spirit to discern their call to Holy Orders, are formed and sent forth with priestly grace, to serve and to inspire the same communion in the Faith within their dioceses and parish life.
— Most Reverend Robert P. Reed
Msgr. Stephen E. Salocks ’80, an alumnus of Saint John’s Seminary, has served the institution for nearly 40 years as a priest, professor, and rector. Born in Troy, New York, in 1950, he earned a Bachelor of Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and completed his seminary formation at Saint John’s Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity. He later pursued advanced studies in Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, earning a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture.
Ordained in 1980, Msgr. Salocks began his priestly ministry in parish service before joining the seminary faculty in 1987. Over the decades, he has played a central role in the formation of generations of seminarians, as a professor of Sacred Scripture, while also serving in key leadership roles including Dean of Students and Academic Dean. He was appointed Interim Rector in 2018 and named Rector in 2019. His tenure has been marked by steady leadership, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to priestly formation in service to dioceses across the region.
It has been a profound privilege to serve Saint John’s Seminary and to walk alongside so many men as they discern and prepare for the priesthood. I am grateful for the support of the many dioceses we serve and for the dedication of our faculty and staff. I welcome Bishop Reed with great confidence and assure him of my prayers as he begins this important ministry.
— Msgr. Stephen E. Salocks ’80
The seminary community expresses its deep gratitude for Msgr. Salocks’ years of service and looks forward to welcoming Bishop Reed as he assumes this new responsibility. Details regarding the transition and installation will be shared in the coming weeks.
About Saint John’s Seminary
Founded in 1884, Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts is a regional seminary serving dioceses across New England and beyond. The seminary is dedicated to the formation of men for the Roman Catholic priesthood through integrated human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. Its alumni serve the Church in a wide range of ministries throughout the region, across the country, and the world.
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