Gerald Michael Barbarito (born January 4, 1950) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He has served as bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach in Florida since 2003. Barbarito previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg in Northern New York from 1999 to 2003 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York City from 1994 to 1999.

Biography

Early life and family

Gerald Barbarito, the son of Anna Marie LaPorte Barbarito and Samuel A. Barbarito, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 4, 1950. He began his studies for the priesthood at Cathedral Prep Seminary in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, graduating in 1967.

Education

Barbarito continued his studies at Cathedral College in Douglaston, Queens, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1971. His theology studies took place at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, New York, where he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1975. Before his ordination to the priesthood, Barbarito served as a deacon at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Astoria, Queens, for one year.

Ordination and pastoral work

Barbarito was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Brooklyn by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Brooklyn on January 31, 1976. After his 1976 ordination, the diocese assigned Barbarito to St. Helen's Parish in Howard Beach, Queens, in New York City. He remained there until 1981, when Mugavero appointed him assistant chancellor. Barbarito held this position for one year, then went to the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law in Washington D.C. for two years. He earned a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1984. After Barbarito returned to New York, he was named the vice chancellor of the diocese in 1984. He remained in that position until 1992, when Bishop Thomas Vose Daily appointed him secretary. Barbarito served as master of ceremonies for Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Joseph Peter Michael Denning from 1984 to 1990. Barbarito served on the college of consultors, the priests' personnel board, the presbyteral council and as an appellate judge at the diocesan tribunal. He also served as a consultant to the Canonical Affairs Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn

Barbarito was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn by Pope John Paul II on June 28, 1994. He was consecrated at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn on August 22, 1994. Bishop Thomas Vose Daily served as principal consecrator, with Bishops Joseph Michael Sullivan and René Arnold Valero serving as co-consecrators. Barbarito was assigned as regional bishop for Brooklyn Vicariate East as well as vicar for ministry for the diocese. As the vicar for ministry, he assisted with the ongoing formation of priests.

Bishop of Ogdensburg

On October 26, 1999, John Paul II named Barbarito as bishop of Ogdensburg. He filled the vacancy left when Bishop Paul Loverde was appointed the Bishop of Arlington nine months prior.

Bishop of Palm Beach

On July 1, 2003, Barbarito was appointed by John Paul II as the fifth bishop of Palm Beach to succeed Bishop Seán O'Malley who had been named archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston. Barbarito was installed on August 28, 2003, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola. In January 2015, Barbarito underwent a successful seven-hour surgery in Miami to remove a benign brain tumor. In February 2012, Barbarito signed a letter with the other Catholic bishops of Florida asking Florida Governor Rick Scott to stop the execution of Robert Waterhouse, a convicted murderer. Scott allowed Waterhouse to be executed that month. In 2017, Reverend John Gallagher sued the diocese and Barbarito for defamation. Gallagher said that the diocese had posted a statement on its website calling him a liar and stating that he needed professional assistance. Gallagher said that the diocese was retaliating against him for reporting a visiting priest who allegedly showed pornographic pictures to a teenager. Barbarito is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association and the Canon Law Society of America.

Viewpoints

Barbarito considers himself to be a Republican and an opponent of abortion rights for women.