Saint John’s Seminary Celebrates the Appointment of Bishop Mark O’Connell as Bishop of Albany

Saint John’s Seminary joyfully congratulates the Most Reverend Mark O’Connell on his appointment by the Holy Father as the Bishop of Albany. Bishop O’Connell, a 1990 graduate of Saint John’s Seminary, has long been a cherished member of our community—first as a seminarian, then as a faculty member, and most recently as a member of our Board of Trustees.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1990, Bishop O’Connell first served in parish ministry for seven years in Woburn and Danvers before pursuing advanced studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, where he received his doctorate (J.C.D.) in 2002.

From 2001 to 2007, he served the Archdiocese of Boston as Assistant to the Moderator of the Curia for Canonical Affairs, and from 2007 to 2016 as Judicial Vicar, while also serving on the faculty of both Saint John’s Seminary and Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. He returned to the Saint John’s Seminary faculty in 2020 for that academic year, once again sharing his expertise in Canon Law and his deep pastoral insight with a new generation of seminarians.

Following his ordination to the episcopacy in 2016, Bishop O’Connell served as Pastor of St. Theresa Parish in North Reading and as Regional Bishop of the North Region of the Archdiocese of Boston. In 2023, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley appointed him Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

In an October 20 statement, Cardinal O’Malley reflected:

“During my years as Archbishop of Boston, Bishop Mark provided invaluable service as a pastor and an Auxiliary Bishop beloved by the people he served. During his service as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Bishop Mark exercised leadership for the archdiocese with a pastoral heart and faithfulness to Christ. Though the Archdiocese of Boston will greatly miss Bishop Mark, we give thanks to God for his being elevated to new heights in the life of the Church. Our prayers are with him and the Diocese of Albany now and in the years ahead.”

At Saint John’s, Bishop O’Connell’s leadership and example have inspired generations of seminarians preparing for the priesthood. His deep knowledge of Canon Law, his dedication to the Church, and his pastoral care have all left an indelible mark on the life of the Seminary.

"We at Saint John’s Seminary extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Mark O’Connell, and we rejoice with the Diocese of Albany on his appointment as their new Bishop. Bishop Mark’s pastoral leadership, deep faith, and dedication to the formation of future priests have been a blessing to our seminary community. We give thanks for his faithful service and pray that the Lord will continue to bless and guide him in this new chapter of his ministry." - Rev. Msgr. Stephen E. Salocks, Rector

The entire Saint John’s Seminary community offers heartfelt prayers and congratulations to Bishop O’Connell as he begins this new chapter of ministry in the Diocese of Albany.