Robert Joseph Baker

Robert Joseph Baker (born June 4, 1944 in Willard, Ohio) is an American Roman 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.[1] He has written several books. On June 25, 2019, Baker asked Pope Francis to accept his letter of resignation.[2]

This article is about the Catholic figure. For the mammalogist, see Robert James Baker.
His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Robert Joseph Baker
Bishop Emeritus of Birmingham
Bishop Robert Baker with Friars
ChurchCatholic Church
ArchdioceseMobile
DioceseBirmingham
AppointedAugust 14, 2007
InstalledOctober 2, 2007
Term endedMarch 25, 2020
PredecessorDavid Edward Foley
SuccessorSteven J. Raica
Orders
OrdinationMarch 21, 1970
by Paul Francis Tanner
ConsecrationSeptember 29, 1999
by John Francis Donoghue, Gabriel Montalvo Higuera, and John J. Snyder
Personal details
Born (1944-06-04) June 4, 1944
Willard, Ohio
Previous postBishop of Charleston
MottoREJOICING IN HOPE
Styles of
Robert Joseph Baker
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Biography

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

References
  1. "New Catholic bishop to be installed". Gadsden Times. September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  2. https://www.al.com/life/2019/06/bishop-sent-retirement-letter-to-pope-francis-plans-bjcc-event.html

Episcopal succession
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
David Edward Foley		 Bishop of Birmingham
2007–2020		 Succeeded by
Steven J. Raica
Preceded by
David B. Thompson		 Bishop of Charleston
1999–2007		 Succeeded by
Robert E. Guglielmone


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