Joseph John Gerry, O.S.B.

Born on September 12, 1928, Joseph John Gerry was named the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Portland on December 27, 1988 and was installed as bishop on February 21, 1989. Prior to arriving in Maine, Joseph John Gerry, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1954, had served as Auxiliary Bishop of Manchester, New Hampshire for three years and as Abbot of St. Anselm Monastery for 14 years prior to that. During his tenure as Bishop of Portland, Bishop Joseph published roughly one pastoral letter per year, treating such topics as Vocations, the sacrament of confirmation, and human sexuality; the first permanent deacons were ordained for the service of the local church; and a major renovation of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was completed in 1999 in time for the Diocese of Portland to observe the Great Jubilee of the year 2000. A new Saint Dominic High School was built and opened in 2002, realizing a long-held dream of its alumni and supporters. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75 in 2003, Bishop Joseph submitted his letter of resignation to Pope John Paul II. His resignation was accepted on February 10, 2004. Bishop Emeritus Joseph Gerry retired to Saint Anselm Abbey in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he lived until his health required additional care and he was transferred to Mt. Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. For several years after retiring from active ministry, he continued to return to Maine to be present at some liturgies and to assist in administering the sacrament of confirmation. Bishop Joseph passed away on July 2, 2023.