Bishop Bonnici’s former colleagues recall his compassion for all

Under the leadership of then-Father John S. Bonnici in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Archdiocese of New York’s Family Life/Respect Life Office not only served Catholic families in the archdiocese, but in many ways it became a family as well.

“He created an atmosphere of family,” recalled Denise Velez-Tomas, who was a senior administrative assistant in the office. “He knew everyone’s family. He saw my kids grow up. Bishop Bonnici baptized my youngest sister’s firstborn. ”

Bishop Bonnici served Catholic families in NY Archdiocese

Then-Father Bonnici — who in 2022 was ordained to the episcopate as an auxiliary bishop for the New York Archdiocese — was assistant director of the Family Life/Respect Life Office for one year before becoming its director in 1996. The department, located in the archdiocese’s former Manhattan headquarters, coordinated various programs for families and individuals on such concerns as marriage-preparation, parenting, bereavement, young adults, and ministry to separated and divorced individuals.

“This office maintained a strong pro-life, anti-poverty and social-service method under Cardinal (John) O’Connor,” explained Vera Galeas, who was coordinator of the office’s bilingual respect life program during Bishop Bonnici’s tenure.

Bishop Bonnici was motivated by a strong desire to improve life for Catholic families, Velez-Tomas said. He also was adamant that archdiocesan resources and programming should be available to Spanish-speaking Catholics in the area, and took it upon himself to study Spanish to further his own communication with the Hispanic population, she said.

Bishop Bonnici is known for his compassion for all

Bishop Bonnici’s care and concern have never been limited to one particular group, however, and he is well-known for showing compassion to all he encounters, Galeas said.

“His knowledge and passion for leading us back to Christ are what make him who he is,” remarked Galeas, who currently is executive director of the pastoral center for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Elmsford.

In 1996, Bishop Bonnici turned his attention to married couples, partnering with Joseph R. Giandurco to coauthor “Partners in Life and Love: A Preparation Handbook for the Celebration of Catholic Marriage.” This book, which has since been updated and is now in its third edition, aims to help Catholic couples understand the church’s teachings on marriage and plan their wedding liturgies.

Three years later, he addressed another type of love when he authored “Person to Person: Friendship and Love in the Life and Theology of Hans Urs Von Balthasar.”

And in 2002, he lead a group of nearly 60 inner-city teens on a weeklong pilgrimage to Toronto for World Youth Day, Galeas said. Bishop Bonnici rode the bus with the teens and spent the week with them, she said.

“(He was) exhausted but happy to help the teens’ experience,” Galeas said.

Colleagues say Bishop Bonnici humbly follows God’s call

Despite his many accomplishments, Bishop Bonnici remains a humble servant, and the Rochester Diocese is lucky to have him, Velez-Tomas and Galeas agreed.

“He strives to do God’s calling, and wherever the Lord takes him, that’s where he’s going to go, and he’s going to do it to the best of his ability,” Velez-Tomas said.

“This man is a real apostle of Christ. … The Rochester Diocese will find a revival you have never seen,” Galeas added.