Gerald Barbarito

Early life and family

Gerald Michael Barbarito, the son of Anna Marie LaPorte Barbarito and the late Samuel A. Barbarito, was born in Brooklyn, New York, January 4, 1950. He began his studies for the priesthood at Cathedral Prep Seminary in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, graduating in 1967.

Education

He continued his studies at Cathedral College in Douglaston, Queens, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1971. His theology studies took place at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, New York, where upon completing his work in 1975, he received a Master of Divinity degree.

Before his ordination to the priesthood, Barbarito served as a deacon at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Astoria, Queens, for one year.

Ordination and pastoral work

Gerald Barbarito was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Astoria, on January 31, 1976. After his ordination, he was assigned to St. Helen's Church in Howard Beach, Queens. He remained there until 1981, when Bishop Mugavero appointed him Assistant Chancellor. He held this position for one year and was then sent to the Catholic University of America in Washington for two years, where he earned a Licentiate in Canon Law.

Barbarito was named the Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1984, and he remained in that position until 1992, when Bishop Thomas V. Daily, Bishop of Brooklyn, appointed him secretary. He served as master of ceremonies for Auxiliary Bishop Joseph P. Denning from 1984 to 1990.

Bishop Barbarito has served on the College of Consultors, the Priests' Personnel Board, the Presbyteral Council and as an appellate judge at the diocesan tribunal. He has also served as a consultant to the Canonical Affairs Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association and the Canon Law Society of America.

Episcopacy

Bishop Barbarito was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn by Pope John Paul II on June 28, 1994. He was consecrated on August 22, 1994. Bishop Thomas V. Daily served as Principal Consecrator with Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan and Bishop René A. Valero serving as Principal Co-Consecrators.

Bishop Barbarito was assigned as Regional Bishop for Brooklyn Vicariate East as well as Vicar for Ministry for the Diocese of Brooklyn. As Vicar for Ministry, he assisted with the ongoing formation of priests in the diocese. His office was in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn.

On October 26, 1999, Pope John-Paul II appointed Barbarito Bishop of Ogdensburg, New York. He filled the vacancy left when Bishop Paul Loverde was appointed the Bishop of Arlington, Virginia nine months prior.

On July 1, 2003, Bishop Barbarito was appointed to Palm Beach to succeed Bishop Seán Patrick O'Malley who, on the same day, was named the ninth Archbishop of Boston. He was installed as the fifth Bishop of Palm Beach on August 28, 2003 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

It was announced on January 30, 2015 that Bishop Barbarito would be undergoing surgery for a Brain tumor.