Joseph John Gerry


Joseph John Gerry, O.S.B., is an American Benedictine monk and prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the third abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey until he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Manchester in 1986. He served as the Bishop of Portland from 1989 to 2004.

Early life and education

Gerry was born in Millinocket, Maine, and graduated from George W. Stearns High School in 1945. He then entered St. Anselm Abbey in Goffstown, New Hampshire, and made his profession of religious vows as a monk of that monastery on July 2, 1948, following his novitiate at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Anselm College in 1950, and completed his theological studies at the abbey.

Priestly ministry

On June 12, 1954, Gerry was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Matthew Francis Brady, at St. Joseph's Cathedral. He earned a Master of Arts in philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1955, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Fordham University in 1959.
From 1958 to 1986, he was professor of philosophy and humanities at Saint Anselm College. He served as subprior from 1959–1963 and prior from 1963–1972. He became the third abbot on January 6, 1972. At the college, he also served as academic dean and chancellor.

Episcopal ministry

On February 4, 1986, Gerry was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Manchester and Titular Bishop of Praecausa by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on the following April 21 from Bishop Odore Joseph Gendron, with Bishops Ernest John Primeau and Robert Edward Mulvee serving as co-consecrators. In February 1988 he was elected chairman of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs in the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Gerry was named the tenth Bishop of Portland, Maine, on December 27, 1988, and was installed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on February 21, 1989.
During his 15-year-long tenure, he published a pastoral letter approximately once a year, treating such topics as vocations to the ministry, the sacrament of Confirmation, and human sexuality. He consolidated parishes in Old Town, Lisbon, and Waterville. He publicly opposed partial-birth abortion and physician-assisted suicide in state referenda in 1999 and 2000 respectively. He opened St. Dominic Regional High School in 2002.
Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Gerry submitted his letter of resignation to John Paul II in September 2003. His resignation was accepted on February 10, 2004, and he was succeeded by Richard Joseph Malone. Gerry then retired to Saint Anselm Abbey. After returning to the Abbey he briefly served as Novice Master for the community, supervising and guiding the novice monks in their formation.

Episcopal succession