The Archdiocese of New Orleans has a new archbishop.
James Checchio, the current bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, will be introduced as the new archbishop Wednesday morning during a press briefing at Notre Dame seminary. Archbishop Gregory Aymond announced Pope Leo XIV's appoint in a letter posted to the archdiocese's website early Wednesday morning.
Aymond isn't going anywhere just yet. For the time being, Checchio will assist him as a coadjutor archbishop until the ongoing archdiocese bankruptcy case stemming from cases of sexual abuse committed by local priests is resolved.
"As Coadjutor Archbishop, he will assist me in the role of archbishop and has 'the right of succession' upon my retirement," Aymond wrote. "It it our intent to host a Mass of Welcome in the coming week, and I will continue in the role of Archbishop until the bankruptcy is concluded and other matters of pastoral care of the Archdiocese of New Orleans are accomplished."
Checchio, a native of Camden, New Jersey, has served as Bishop of Metuchen since 2016. Before that, he served as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome for 10 years.
During a Wednesday news conference, Checchio said he's ready to guide the archdiocese out of a painful chapter in its history and into the light of a new era.
"I certainly embrace coming here amongst you and become a member of this beautiful archdiocese," Checchio said, adding that he's ready to get to work and learn about the archdiocese he now shepherds. "What are the needs? Who are they? I love you already, but I need to know who you are to love you more. I need to get to the know the parishes, get to know the institutions, and get to know all those who make this archdiocese the great place it is."
Checchio said he's big on priest accountability, saying that he set up anonymous tip lines for parishioners to report abuse and that he hired a former prosecutor to be his chancellor in the Diocese of Metuchen. Checchio says he offers his prayers to those impacted by sexual abuse at the hands of priests, and that he's ready to learn more about what the New Orleans archdiocese needs to move forward.
"I certainly am not unaware of the heartbreak and situation resulting from the painful abuses that occurred," Checchio said. "We have to be ever vigiliant, and everything I can do to make sure our children are safe, I will."