Diocese of Rockville Centre installs Auxiliary Bishop Richard Henning

Bishop John O. Barres ordained Msgr. Richard G. Henning as the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s newest auxiliary bishop during a mass at St. Agnes Cathedral on July 24.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, announced the news of Henning’s new position in June. He became the fourth auxiliary bishop for the diocese, which has 1.5 million Catholics.

“Bishop-elect Henning, our prayers are with you as you embrace this new ecclesial mission and as you put out into the deep of the New Evangelization at this historic new moment for the Catholic Church on Long Island and the Universal Church,” Barres said at the mass.

Henning, 53, was born in Rockville Centre and grew up in Valley Stream, where he attended Holy Name of Mary. He graduated Chaminade High School in Mineola and St. John’s University in 1982 and 1986, respectively. He was ordained in 1992 at St. Agnes Cathedral by John McGann, bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre at the time.

Since 2002, Henning has served on the faculty of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, where he became the rector in 2012. For two years, he has directed the Parresia project, an initiative to improve reception processes for international priests serving in the U.S. Henning is fluent in English, Italian and Spanish.

On June 29, Bishop Barres appointed Henning to lead a new office to help drive dramatic missionary growth in the diocese. “…The Holy Spirit has providentially brought you and your life narrative to this moment of Episcopal ordination as a successor of the apostles,” Bishop Barres said at the mass. “…Your pastoral sensitivity, your pastoral artistry, your pastoral charity and your pastoral creativity are a great inspiration to all of us.”

Henning thanked Pope Francis and Archbishop Pierre as well as the many priests and teachers that inspired him over 27 years of study. He noted that he is aware of his debt to the church.

“With some discomfort, I have been the center of attention today,” Henning said, “but the truth is that I am no more than a surfer blessed with a particularly perfect set of waves. You have been those waves and I thank you with all my heart. May we all as Christian disciples stand up and ride the waves of Divine grace to the very shores of the Kingdom!”