Robert Joseph Baker
 | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (February 2018) |
Robert Joseph Baker | |
|---|---|
| Bishop Emeritus of Birmingham | |
 Bishop Robert Baker with Friars | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Mobile |
| Diocese | Birmingham |
| Appointed | August 14, 2007 |
| Installed | October 2, 2007 |
| Term ended | March 25, 2020 |
| Predecessor | David Edward Foley |
| Successor | Steven J. Raica |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | March 21, 1970 by Paul Francis Tanner |
| Consecration | September 29, 1999 by John Francis Donoghue, Gabriel Montalvo Higuera, and John J. Snyder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 4, 1944 Willard, Ohio |
| Previous post(s) | Bishop of Charleston |
| Motto | REJOICING IN HOPE |
| Styles of Robert Joseph Baker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Robert Joseph Baker (born June 4, 1944 in Willard, Ohio) is an American Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. He was appointed to this post by Pope Benedict XVI on August 14, 2007, and installed on October 2, 2007.Bishop Baker became a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 2008 and became the State AOH Chaplain.[1] He has written several books. On June 25, 2019, Baker asked Pope Francis to accept his letter of resignation.[2]
Biography[]
 | This section does not cite any sources. (July 2020) |
Baker was ordained for the diocese of St. Augustine in 1970 and sent to Rome for doctoral studies in dogmatic theology shortly thereafter. He has served in turns as a parish priest, campus minister, and seminary formator.
Bishop of Charleston[]
In 1999, Baker was appointed Bishop of Charleston. As bishop of Charleston, Baker presided over rapid growth, thanks to a combination of adult conversion and Hispanic immigration (the state's population of Roman Catholics boomed by almost 40% to over 175,000 during his tenure). Bishop Baker dedicated new or expanded churches, schools, and parish facilities.
Bishop of Birmingham[]
He was appointed to become Bishop of Birmingham on August 14, 2007 and was installed as bishop on October 2, 2007. The Diocese of Charleston bishopric was filled January 24, 2009, by Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone, formerly rector of St. Agnes Cathedral of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York.
Plans to Resign[]
Upon turning 75 years old, Baker sent a letter of resignation, as required by all Bishops when they reach this age. On June 25, 2019, however, it was revealed that Baker had sent another letter to Pope Francis, where he asked the Pope to accept his letter of resignation.[2] On March 25, 2020, Pope Francis accepted his resignation.
Bibliography[]
- Cacique: A Novel of Florida's Heroic Mission History Saint Catherine of Siena Press
- When Did We See You, Lord? Baker, Robert J. and Groeschel, C.F.R., Benedict J., Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. (Huntington, Indiana), 2005.
See also[]
- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
- List of Catholic bishops of the United States
- Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
References[]
- ^ "New Catholic bishop to be installed". Gadsden Times. September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
- ^ Jump up to: a b https://www.al.com/life/2019/06/bishop-sent-retirement-letter-to-pope-francis-plans-bjcc-event.html
External links[]
Episcopal succession[]
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- 1944 births
- Living people
- 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States
- 21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States
- Roman Catholic bishops of Charleston
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama
- Bishops in Alabama
- People from Willard, Ohio
- Catholics from Ohio
- American Roman Catholic bishop stubs