Bernard Hebda

{{Short description|American Catholic archbishop (born 1959)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Archbishop | honorific_prefix = His Excellency, The Most Reverend | honorific_suffix = JCL, JD | name = Bernard Anthony Hebda | title = Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis | image = Hebda-May Crowning-Eucharistic Prayer (cropped).jpg | alt = | caption = Archbishop Hebda prays the Eucharistic Prayer at a Mass commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Saint John Vianney College Seminary | archdiocese = | diocese = | see = Saint Paul and Minneapolis | alma_mater = Harvard University<br>Columbia University<br>Pontifical Gregorian University | appointed = March 24, 2016 | enthroned = May 13, 2016 | retired = | predecessor = John Clayton Nienstedt | successor = | ordination = July 1, 1989 | ordained_by = Donald Wuerl | consecration = December 1, 2009 | consecrated_by = Allen Henry Vigneron, Francesco Coccopalmerio, and Patrick R. Cooney | other_post = | previous_post = {{bulleted list| Coadjutor Archbishop of Newark (2013–2016) | Bishop of Gaylord (2009–2013) | Under Secretary For the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts (2003–2009)}} | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|09|03|mf=yes}} | birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | death_date = | death_place = | motto = "Only Jesus." (Mark 9:8) | coat_of_arms_alt = | coat_of_arms = | image_size = }} {{Infobox bishopstyles | name= Bernard Anthony Hebda | dipstyle= *His Excellency *The Most Reverend | image = Coat of arms of Bernard Anthony Hebda.svg | image_size = 200px | caption = ''Or, an elderberry tree fructed, all proper, issuant from a fess chequy Azure and Argent and surmounted by a seven-pointed star of the second.''<ref>{{cite web |title=Bishop Hebda's Coat Of Arms {{!}} Diocese of Gaylord |url=https://dioceseofgaylord.org/bishop-hebdas-coat-arms |website=dioceseofgaylord.org |access-date=6 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> | offstyle=Your Excellency | relstyle=Archbishop | Motto= }}

'''Bernard Anthony Hebda''' (born September 3, 1959) is an American Catholic prelate who has served as archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota since 2016.

He previously served as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese beginning in 2015, and as coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey from 2013 to 2015, as bishop of Gaylord in Michigan from 2009 to 2013, and in the Roman Curia on the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts from 2003 to 2009.

==Biography==

=== Early life === Bernard Hebda was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 3, 1959, in the community of Brookline. He attended South Hills Catholic High School in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He then entered Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Political Science degree in 1980. Hebda received a JD from Columbia Law School at the Parker School of Foreign and Comparative Law in New York City in 1983.

Hebda studied philosophy at Saint Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh from 1984 to 1985. He lived at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and attended the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree (1985–1988) and a licentiate in Canon Law (1988–1990).

=== Priesthood === On July 1, 1989, Hebda was ordained by Bishop Donald Wuerl as a priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh at Saint Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh The diocese then assigned him to the following positions:

* Assistant priest at Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania (1989) * Personal secretary to Wuerl and master of ceremonies (1990 to 1992) * Pastor ''in solidum'' at Prince of Peace Parish in Pittsburgh (1992 to 1995) * Judge of the diocesan tribunal (1992 to 1996) * Director of the Newman Center at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania (1995 to 1996)

In 1996, Hebda went to Rome to work at the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. In, 2000, he was named a monsignor by the Vatican. From 2003, he served as under-secretary of the Pontifical Council.

In Rome, Hebda also served as an adjunct spiritual director at the North American College and confessor to the Missionaries of Charity. He lived at the Villa Stritch, a residence for American priests working for the Vatican. In 2009, following the announcement of Hebda's appointment as a bishop, the college community presented him with a pectoral cross and crosier.

=== Bishop of Gaylord === On October 7, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI named Hebda the fourth bishop of Gaylord.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/17330/missionaries-of-charity-confessor-appointed-to-shepherd-michigan-diocese |publisher=Catholic News Agency| access-date=March 25, 2015| date=October 7, 2009| title=Missionaries of Charity confessor appointed to shepherd Michigan diocese}}</ref> Hebda was consecrated and installed on December 1, 2009, at Saint Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Gaylord, Michigan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pnac.org/msgr-bernard-a-hebda-appointed-bishop-of-gaylord-michigan/|title=Msgr. Bernard A. Hebda Appointed Bishop of Gaylord, Michigan – Pontifical North American College|date=2009-11-08|work=Pontifical North American College|access-date=2018-02-22|language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2013, Hebda was elected to chair the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/committee-chairmen-elections|title=Committee Chairmen Elections|last1=Winters|first1=Michael Sean|date=November 12, 2013|work=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=March 25, 2016}}</ref>

=== Coadjutor Archbishop of Newark ===  Hebda was appointed as coadjutor archbishop of Newark on September 24, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2013/11/archbishop_hebda_eucharistic_celebration_of_welcome.html |title=Parishioners welcome Archbishop Bernard Hebda at a special Mass in Newark|first= William |last=Perlman |date=November 5, 2013|publisher=NJ.com| access-date=March 25, 2016}}</ref> Archbishop John Myers had asked for the appointment of a coadjutor to assist him as he approached retirement age.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McElwee|first1=Joshua J.|title=Newark archbishop: coadjutor appointed at his request|url=http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/newark-get-coadjutor-archbishop|access-date=26 March 2016|work=National Catholic Reporter|date=September 23, 2013|archive-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406015903/http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/newark-get-coadjutor-archbishop|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hebda chose a dormitory at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, as his residence.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Winters|first1=Michael Sean |title=Take nothing for the journey. |url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/take-nothing-journey |access-date=March 25, 2016|work=National Catholic Reporter |date=July 13, 2015}}</ref> He defended Myers against complaints he had spent an extravagant amount on living quarters for his retirement, noting that Myers had lived in shared quarters at the cathedral rectory in Newark for thirteen years.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-focus-on-archbishop-s-commitment-to-serve-1.744589 |first=Bernard |last = Hebda| access-date = March 25, 2016| date=March 17, 2014| title=Opinion: Focus on archbishop's commitment to serve | work=Bergen Record}}</ref>

==== Apostolic administrator of Saint Paul and Minneapolis ==== thumb|Archbishop Hebda in 2017|341x341px On June 15, 2015, Pope Francis accepted the resignations of Archbishop John Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee A. Piché of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The same day, Francis appointed Hebda as its apostolic administrator to serve until a new archbishop would be installed, although Hebda remained as the coadjutor archbishop of Newark.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2015/06/15/0469/01027.html |access-date=March 25, 2016|date=June 15, 2016 |title=Rinunce e nomine, 15.06.2015 | language=it|publisher=Holy See Press Office}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/15/us/archbishop-nienstedt-and-aide-resign-in-minnesota-over-sex-abuse-scandal.html |title= Catholic Archbishop and Aide Resign in Minnesota Over Sexual Abuse Scandal |access-date=March 25, 2016|date=June 15, 2015 |first1=Mitch|last1=Smith|first2=Laurie|last2=Goodstein}}</ref>

In September 2015, Hebda met with representatives of the Catholic Coalition for Church Reform. They discussed how the laity could participate in defining the needs of the archdiocese and what it expects from its next archbishop. Hebda state that he was<blockquote>"...delighted to learn that they share my interest in engaging in a wide consultation of the faithful in assessing the needs of the archdiocese... I was also happy to share with them some of the preliminary plans for that consultation, and appreciated their input and offer of collaboration."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1= Elizabeth A.|title=Vatican-appointed interim administrator met with Minnesota Catholic reform group | url=http://ncronline.org/news/people/vatican-appointed-interim-administrator-met-minnesota-catholic-reform-group |access-date= March 25, 2016| date=September 21, 2015}}</ref></blockquote>Hebda organized a series of public meetings – "listening sessions" – throughout the archdiocese to allow parishioners, clergy, and employees to express their views on the appointment of a new archbishop.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Elliott|first1=Elizabeth A.|title=St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese asks for input about new archbishop | url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/st-paul-minneapolis-archdiocese-asks-input-about-new-archbishop |access-date= March 25, 2016| date=October 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Elliott|first1=Elizabeth A.|title=Listening Sessions continue in Minneapolis-St. Paul | url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/listening-sessions-continue-minneapolis-st-paul |access-date= March 25, 2016| date=November 2, 2015}}</ref> During Hebda's term as administrator, the archdiocese agreed on a civil settlement with Ramsey County on procedures to prevent child sexual abuse. It provided for judicial oversight for three years. The civil case was settled in December 2015 under a plan that allowed for more oversight of the church. Attorneys for both sides used the hearing process in the civil case to announce new steps aimed at reinforcing that agreement. In court papers in Ramsey County Court, the archdiocese stated<blockquote>"The Archdiocese admits that it failed to adequately respond and prevent the sexual abuse... The Archdiocese failed to keep the safety and wellbeing of these three children ahead of protecting the interests of Curtis Wehmeyer and the Archdiocese. The actions and omissions of the Archdiocese failed to prevent the abuse that resulted in the need for protection and services for these three children." </blockquote>In a letter, Hebda wrote: "We are agreeing to implement the plan under a set deadline and to be held accountable for that commitment."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roewe |first1=Brian |title=Settlement reached in St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese civil case |url=http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/settlement-reached-st-paul-minneapolisarchdiocese-civil-case |access-date=March 25, 2016 |work=National Catholic Reporter|date=December 18, 2015}}</ref> He called the settlement "the most public indicator that this archdiocese has earnestly embarked on a journey of self-reflection, evaluation and action".<ref>{{cite news| last1=Nelson |first1=Todd| first2=Monica |last2=Davey |title=Archdiocese of St. Paul Settles Civil Complaint on Child Sexual Abuse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/19/us/archdiocese-of-st-paul-settles-civil-complaint-on-child-sexual-abuse.html |access-date=March 26, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=December 18, 2015}}</ref> In his time as administrator, less than a year, he handled a number of cases of priests accused of sexual abuse of minors, both removing and reinstating them.<ref>{{cite news|title=Minn. priest put on leave after abuse allegation|url=http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/08/28/minn-priest-put-on-leave-after-abuse-allegation/|access-date=March 26, 2016|work=CRUX|agency=Associated Press|date=August 28, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516153516/http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/08/28/minn-priest-put-on-leave-after-abuse-allegation/|archive-date=May 16, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=St. Paul-Minneapolis removes 1 priest, reinstates another|url=http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/09/03/st-paul-minneapolis-archdiocese-removes-1-priest-reinstates-another/|access-date=March 26, 2016|work=CRUX|agency=Associated Press|date=September 3, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130193753/http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/09/03/st-paul-minneapolis-archdiocese-removes-1-priest-reinstates-another/|archive-date=January 30, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Minn. archdiocese reinstates priest who faced abuse allegation|url=http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/03/17/minn-archdiocese-reinstates-priest-who-faced-abuse-allegation/|access-date=March 26, 2016|work=CRUX|agency=Associated Press|date=March 17, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326104024/http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/03/17/minn-archdiocese-reinstates-priest-who-faced-abuse-allegation/|archive-date=March 26, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.archspm.org/archspm_news/statement-regarding-rev-mark-wehmann/ |title=Statement Regarding Rev. Mark Wehmann - Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis |access-date=July 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713233713/http://www.archspm.org/archspm_news/statement-regarding-rev-mark-wehmann/ |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis === On March 24, 2016, Francis named Hebda as archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. He was installed in the Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 13, 2016.<ref>{{cite news| work=Minneapolis Star-Tribune| access-date=May 13, 2016| date= May 13, 2016| title=Thousands turn out to welcome Archbishop Hebda| first= Jean |last=Hopfensperger|url= http://www.startribune.com/hebda-to-be-installed-as-twin-cities-archbishop/379379551/}}</ref>

A major defining aspect of Hebda's tenure in the archdiocese was the continuing legal processes surrounding the fallout of the sexual abuse crisis in the archdiocese. Before his arrival, in January 2015, the archdiocese had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archdiocesan Reorganization|url=https://www.archspm.org/finance-accounting/archdiocesan-reorganization/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis|date=August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In September 2018, the archdiocese's bankruptcy-exit plan was approved by a federal judge; by the end of the year, the archbishop announced that it was officially out of bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-22|title=Archdiocese officially out of bankruptcy|url=https://thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/archdiocese-officially-out-of-bankruptcy/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=TheCatholicSpirit.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019, Hebda announced that he would be calling an archdiocesan synod. This would be the first synod held in the archdiocese in eight decades. It culminated in June 2022 with an archdiocesan synodal assembly.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 22, 2021|title=Decree to Convoke the Second Synod of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis|url=https://archspmmainsite.s3.amazonaws.com/Synod/Convocation+Decree+May+22+2021.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630230720/https://archspmmainsite.s3.amazonaws.com/Synod/Convocation+Decree+May+22+2021.pdf|archive-date=June 30, 2021|access-date=June 30, 2021|website=Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis}}</ref> Hebda released a pastoral letter, "You Shall Be My Witnesses", on the feast of Christ the King in 2022.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{wikiquote|Bernard Anthony Hebda}} {{commons category}}

*[http://www.archspm.org/ Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Official Site] * [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bhebda.html Archbishop Bernard Anthony Hebda] at Catholic-Hierarchy.com [[Wikipedia:SPS|{{sup|[''self-published'']}}]]

{{s-start}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-bef|before=Patrick R. Cooney}} {{s-ttl|title=Bishop of Gaylord|years=2009–2013}} {{s-aft|after=Steven J. Raica}} {{s-bef|before= - }} {{s-ttl|title=Coadjutor Archbishop of Newark|years=2013–2016}} {{s-aft|after= - }} {{s-bef|before=John Clayton Nienstedt}} {{s-ttl|title=Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis|years=2016–present}} {{s-inc}} {{S-end}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Catholicism|United States|Minnesota}} {{Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis}} {{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hebda, Bernard A.}} Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Columbia Law School alumni Category:Pontifical Gregorian University alumni Category:Pontifical North American College alumni Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Gaylord Category:Archdiocese of Newark Category:Religious leaders from Pittsburgh Category:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in the United States Category:Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis