Lima native Lewandowski named Providence bishop
Apr. 9—PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Catholic priest with Lima roots will now lead the Diocese of Providence, R.I.
Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, 57, who grew up attending Lima's St. Gerard Catholic Church, met with reporters and the faithful in his new diocese Tuesday morning after an official announcement from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
"I am grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the trust and confidence he has placed in me and calling me to serve here in this diocese, the Diocese of Providence," Lewandowski said.
Lewandowski has been an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore since August 2020. He is a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists, who've served at St. Gerard since it opened in 1916.
He was born in Toledo but moved to Lima in the second or third grade, Lewandowski recalled in a 2020 interview with The Lima News, when his father, Robert, took a job at Westinghouse. They lived on five acres on Reservoir Road with horses.
He remained in Lima through eighth grade, when he went to live at the St. Mary's Seminary High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, at age 14. He returned in the summers and tried to helped at St. Gerard, where his mother, Frances, helped with the Girl Scouts and his father helped with bingo and was an usher.
He went to the St. Alphonsus College in Suffield, Connecticut, and the Holy Redeemer College in Washington, studying theology at the Washington Theological Union.
Lewandowski became a priest in May 1994 in the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
His sister, Sister Mary Francis Lewandowski, is a member of the Felician Sisters congregation in Michigan. He mentioned his affection for his family and friends in Ohio and throughout the world during his introduction.
"All the people and experiences of these years have enriched my life and brought me closer to our Lord and to his people," Lewandowski said. "I love the church. There's nothing I would rather do than serve God's people in the church. I love being a priest. I love being a Redemptorist. I'm going to love being your bishop."
Lewandowski was emotional as he spoke Tuesday in English, Spanish and Portuguese, joking at one point, "I'm a crier." Wearing a black suit and a Roman collar, he shared his love of sweets and noted he learned about his new appointment while driving back from a Mass at a scouting camp at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 29.
He shared a story of speaking with Pope Francis during a bishop's orientation course in Rome. He asked the Holy Father about his health and heard a "laundry list of ailments."
"I said, 'Do you mind if I just give you a hug?' And he let me hug him," Lewandowski said. "It was just a memorable moment. I think of him today, and just please pray for his good health and speedy recovery."
He's the second active bishop from Lima, after Bishop Dennis G. Walsh became the Bishop of Davenport, Iowa, in June 2024. Walsh most recently served at churches in Delphos, Landeck and Spencerville before becoming a bishop.
Lewandowski will be installed as Providence's 10th bishop on May 20. He succeeds Archbishop Richard G. Henning, who became archbishop of Boston in October 2024.
Lewandowski's sister also designed his episcopal coat of arms. It includes his motto, "Because by Your Holy Cross," a quote from St. Francis of Assissi that was adopted by St. Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists.
"In my heart, I know and I trust and I believe that the cross of Jesus makes everything possible," Lewandowski said.
Reach David Trinko at 567-242-0467 or on Twitter/X @Lima_Trinko.
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