Florida Catholic | Biography :: Bishop Robert N. Lynch

Bishop Robert N. Lynch

Bishop Robert N. Lynch was born in Charleston, W.Va. He received his bachelor of arts degree from the Pontifical College Josephinum and in 1978, an M. Div. degree from Pope John XXIII National Seminary.

During the 10-year period between his college seminary and re-entry into theology, Bishop Lynch taught high school; organized a lay teachers’ association in the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio; served the Catholic Conference of Ohio as coordinator of government programs; and, at the invitation of the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, served at the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB)/U.S.Catholic Conference (USCC), now the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Shortly after priestly ordination he was assigned to St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami as president-rector, remaining in that position for five years.

He returned to the NCCB/USCC to serve as associate general secretary with responsibility for public policy matters for five years, and as general secretary for six years. One of the highlights of these years in Washington, D.C., was the opportunity to coordinate the pastoral visits by Pope John Paul II.

After a short sabbatical leave and six months as a pastor, he was named the fourth bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and formally ordained and installed January 26, 1996. In addition to his role as bishop of St. Petersburg, Bishop Lynch was appointed president and chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services, effective January 1, 2002.

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