Joseph Kopacz

Joseph Richard Kopacz was born in Dunmore, Pennsylvania in the diocese of Scranton. Kopacz is the son of the late Stanley and Carmella Calomino Kopacz, and is a graduate of Dunmore Central Catholic High School. He is the second of three children with a brother, Robert, and a sister, Mary Ellen Negri.[2] He obtained a BA in History from the University of Scranton. After this he entered the seminary of Christ the King in Buffalo, New York where he obtained a master's degree in Theology. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Scranton on May 7, 1977.

He obtained a Masters in Latin from Fordham University. He went on to obtain a Masters in Counselling and Psychology and a doctorate in Human Development from Marywood University in Scranton.

After his ordination he was parish priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville (1977–1989). He was Professor at the Saint Pius X Seminary in Dalton (1980–1990) and pastor of the parish of Saint Michael, Saint James and Saint Stanislaus in Jessup (1989–1995).[1]

He was transferred to the Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Scranton (1995–1998). After this he was appointed Director of Education at the Seminary Saint Pius X (1998-2002), and pastor of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Scranton (2002-2006).

He served as Vicar General and Vicar for Clergy (February 2005–August 2009). From 2006 to 2014 he was the pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. In addition, he was a member of the Diocesan Council for Finance and Coordinator of Hispanic apostolate for the Monroe County.

On December 12, 2013 Pope Francis appointed Kopacz as the eleventh bishop of Jackson. He was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Thomas Rodi of Mobile on February 6, 2014. Emeritus Bishop Joseph Latino of Jackson and Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton were the principal co-consecrators.[3]

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson Official Site