Pope Francis has appointed as bishop of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, United States of America, Msgr. Jerome Feudjio, of the clergy of the same diocese, until now vicar general and rector of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Msgr. Jerome Feudjio was born on September 30, 1955, in Fonakeukeu, Cameroon. He began his ecclesiastical studies at the Holy Apostles Seminary in Otélé (1972-1975) and at the Major Seminary of Nkolbisson in Yaoundé (1975-1979). In the United States, he carried out his ecclesiastical studies as a member of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate at the Washington Theological Consortium, District of Columbia.
He was ordained a priest on September 29, 1990, for the diocese of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, United States of America.
After priestly ordination, he held the following offices: parish vicar (1990-1997), administrator (1997-2000) and rector of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral (2000-2001), head of diocesan finance (1996-2004), director of vocations (1996-2020), vicar for the clergy (since 2001), chancellor (2002-2004), and parish priest of the Holy Family parish (2004-2008). From 2008 until the present he has served again as rector of the Cathedral, vicar general, and moderator of the Curia. In addition, he has been a member of Catholic Charities, the Diocesan Finance Council, and the College of Consultors.
The Diocese of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Washington. Here is a statement from Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Apostolic Administrator, on the news this morning from the Vatican:
“I readily join the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands today in warmly welcoming Pope Francis’ appointment of Monsignor Jerome Feudjio as the sixth Bishop of this local Church. Bishop-Elect Jerome is no stranger to the people of the diocese. His long history of service and pastoral dedication to the people of this community of faith are well known and widely respected. He now begins a new chapter in his own life and in all of your lives as well. Please keep him in your prayers as he transitions into his new office as I am certain he will hold all of you securely in his daily prayers from this day forward.”
