Birth Date: Feb. 17, 1965, New York City.
Parents: John C. and Gertrude (née Rilling) Bonnici, both deceased.
Education
- Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary, Manhattan, class of 1983.
- St. John’s University, Brooklyn, earning a bachelor’s in biology and philosophy, 1987.
- Pontifical North American College in Rome, with academic studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, earning bachelor of sacred theology, 1990.
- Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Rome, earning licentiate of sacred theology, 1990-92.
- Pontifical John Paul II Institute, Washington, D.C., earning the degree doctor of sacred theology, 1995.
Ordination to the Priesthood
June 22, 1991, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, by Cardinal John O’Connor. June 22 is the feast of St. John Fisher, patron of the Diocese of Rochester, and St. Thomas More.
Archdiocese of New York:
- Parochial vicar, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Elmsford, 1992-94.
- Faculty member/adjunct professor of moral theology, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, 1994-2014.
- Assistant director, Archdiocesan Family Life/Respect Life Office, 1995.
- Director, Archdiocesan Family Life/Respect Life Office, 1996-2002.
- Pastor, St. Philip Neri, Bronx, N.Y., 2002-08.
- Pastor, St. Columba Parish, Chester, N.Y., 2008-21.
- Parochial administrator, St. Mary’s Parish, Washingtonville, N.Y., 2020-21.
- Pastor, St. Augustine Parish and Sts. John and Paul Parish, Larchmont, N.Y., 2021-26.
- Episcopal vicar for Westchester and Rockland counties as an auxiliary bishop, 2022-26.
Ordination to the Episcopacy
Appointed Jan. 25, 2022, by Pope Francis as an auxiliary bishop of New York and the titular bishop of the ancient Palestinian see of Arindela.
Ordained to the episcopacy March 1, 2022, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan; Auxiliary Bishops John O’Hara and Gerald Walsh co-consecrating.
Episcopal motto: To Jesus Through Mary.
Tenth Bishop of Rochester
Appointed Jan. 7, 2026, by Pope Leo XIV to succeed Bishop Salvatore R. Matano as 10th bishop of Rochester.
Installed March 19, 2026, the Solemnity of St. Joseph.
Other Leadership Roles:
- Member, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People.
- Member, USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism.
- Pontifical North American College Board of Governors, 2023-present.
- Member, board of directors, Aid to the Church in Need.
- Member, board of directors, The Christopher Missions Foundation.
- Member, board of trustees, City University of New York, by appointment of Gov. George Pataki, 2002-09.
Publications:
- “Person to Person: Friendship and Love in the Life and Theology of Hans Urs Von Balthasar,” Alba House, 1999.
- “Partners in Life and Love: A Preparation Handbook for the Celebration of Catholic Marriage,” with co-author Msgr. Joseph Giandurco, Society of St. Paul, 1996.
