In June, Pope Benedict XVI appointed the Very Reverend David M.
O’Connell, C.M., as Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton, NJ. Bishop
O'Connell was ordained to the episcopacy by Bishop John M. Smith in
St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton on July 30, 2010.
Bishop O’Connell became the 10th Bishop of Trenton on December 1,
following Pope Benedict’s acceptance of Bishop Smith’s
resignation.
A member of
St. John’s University’s Board of Trustees since 2008, he prepared
for the priesthood at Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, PA,
where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1981 and a master’s
degree in Moral Theology in 1983. He was ordained a Vincentian
priest in 1982.
Then-Fr. O’Connell joined the University’s administration in
1990 as Associate Dean of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences. The following year he was appointed Dean and served as
Associate Vice President and Dean until 1998. He then assumed the
presidency of the Catholic University of America in Washington DC,
and served in that capacity for 12 years until being named
bishop.
“We rejoice with Bishop O’Connell and with the Diocese of
Trenton in this appointment,”said Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.,
President, St. John’s University. “His special gifts of mind,
heart, and spirit are abundantly visible to all of us who have been
privileged to know and work with him. St. John’s is a stronger and
better University for his years of service, and we are grateful for
all that he has been and done for us. May he enjoy many years of
fruitful and happy service to the people of God.”
Bishop O'Connell has selected as his motto Ministrare non
Ministrari, a Latin phrase meaning "to serve and not be served." It
is taken from the Gospel reading that was proclaimed at his
priestly ordination in 1982, and the Gospel that was proclaimed
again at his Episcopal ordination in July.