Florida Catholic | Biography :: Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, was installed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee March 13, 1997, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola. Bishop Ricard moved from the Archdiocese of Baltimore where he served as auxiliary bishop since his episcopal ordination July 2, 1984. During his 12 years in Baltimore, Bishop Ricard served as urban vicar and regional bishop with responsibility for parishes in the city of Baltimore.

He brings with him a formidable reputation of leadership, having served as pastor in Washington, D.C., prior to his episcopal ordination, and as chairman of the Domestic Policy Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops following his appointment as an auxiliary bishop of Baltimore.

He is currently serving as chairman of the ad-hoc committee for the Church of Africa as a part of the International Justice and Peace/Social Development and World Peace department of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop Ricard is also chairman of the board of trustees for the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC).

He was born Feb. 29, 1940, in Baton Rouge, La., and has three brothers and four sisters. He attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary and High School in Baton Rouge, and upon completion of high school, entered the Josephite College Seminary in Newburgh, N.Y. He completed his theological training at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 1968.

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