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June 4, 2025By OSV NewsWASHINGTON (OSV News) -- Pope Leo XIV has appointed Nicaraguan-born Father Pedro Bismarck Chau, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey, as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark.
At the same time, the pope accepted the resignation of Newark Auxiliary Bishop Gregory J. Studerus, who is 77.
The appointment and resignation were publicized in Washington May 30 by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
As an auxiliary bishop, Bishop-designate Chau, 57, will join Auxiliary Bishops Manuel A. Cruz, Michael A. Saporito and Elias R. Lorenzo in ministering to the faithful with Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin.
The cardinal will be the principal celebrant of his episcopal ordination Mass Sept. 8 at the cathedral basilica in Newark.
In a statement, Cardinal Tobin said he warmly welcomes Pope Leo's appointment of the new auxiliary for the archdiocese.
"His deep faith, considerable pastoral experience and love for the people of God will be a great blessing to our local Church," he said. "I look forward to his contribution as we continue our mission to witness to Jesus Christ."
The cardinal invited the faithful of the archdiocese to join me in praying for Bishop-designate Chau "as he prepares to take on this new role of leadership and service."
"I am deeply grateful to Bishop Gregory Studerus for his years of faithful and generous service to the Archdiocese of Newark," the cardinal added. "His pastoral heart, wisdom and humble dedication have made a lasting impact on our local Church. I pray that this next chapter of his life will be filled with peace and continued blessings.""
Bishop Studerus will remain active in the pastoral life of the archdiocese, according to a news release.
Bishop-designate Chau was born on June 28, 1967, in Managua, Nicaragua. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2004 and a master's degree in professional counseling in 2021, both from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. At Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, he was awarded a master of arts in theology and a master in pastoral ministry before his ordination to the priesthood for the Newark Archdiocese on May 24, 2008.
Besides his present appointment as rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the bishop-designate has worked in parishes, youth ministry, campus ministry and chaplaincy to the deaf. He has also served as a member of the priest personnel board and the council of priests. He is fluent in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.
Among his responsibilities as auxiliary bishop, he will assume pastoral oversight for the parishes and other Catholic institutions of Hudson County, which were previously under the care of Bishop Studerus.
The 500-square-mile Archdiocese of Newark has a Catholic population of over 1 million out of a total population of 3.1 million.