Bishop William Lori has been serving the Diocese of Bridgeport for 11 years, but on a recent trip to Washington, D.C., he says his life changed in an instant. It was there that he was asked to be the next Archbishop of Baltimore.
“I was really genuinely surprised to be asked,” said Lori.
Bishop Lori has been with the Diocese of Bridgeport through some tough times, including allegations of abuse that involved priests at St. Theresa's Church in Trumbull.
“Who could not have been really rocked to the depths by the, for example, the abuse crisis, or when one looks at the challenges of readjusting the parishes in the city of Bridgeport to meet the needs. Things like these are very, very big challenges,” said Lori.
However, Lori says with the support of the Diocese, those challenges were faced and accomplishments were made. Bishop Lori helped to increase enrollment in Fairfield County Catholic schools and helped to increase the number of men studying to become priests. He says he looks forward to what lies ahead in Baltimore, and learn more about the community he will now serve.
“The first thing that I learned here and that I hope I will practice more effectively even in Baltimore is listening. Listening to the priests, listening to the laity, listening to the religious,” said Lori.
The Diocese won't actually start searching for a successor until Bishop Lori starts his new role in Baltimore. The search could take as long as 10 months.
