Bishop Manuel Rodríguez Installed as Sixth Bishop of Palm Beach in Joyful Cathedral Celebration
The Diocese of Palm Beach welcomed its sixth bishop with emotion and celebration as Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez was ordained and installed during a packed Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens.
For the faithful, the moment he lifted the papal bull announcing his appointment was more than a formal gesture. It symbolized the beginning of a new chapter for a diocese receiving a new shepherd for the first time in nearly 23 years. Applause filled the cathedral as Rodríguez walked through the aisles, greeting clergy and laity representing the many cultures that make up the local Church.
Born in Moca in the Dominican Republic, Rodríguez was formed in the spirituality of Don Bosco before being ordained a priest in 2004. After years of ministry in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, he now assumes leadership in southeast Florida. His personal journey from the Caribbean to New York and now Palm Beach reflects the diverse and international character of the Catholic Church in the United States.
The ordination Mass drew around one thousand people inside the cathedral, with hundreds more gathered outside. Family members traveled from the Dominican Republic, and numerous bishops from Florida and beyond participated in the laying on of hands, including Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, who served as the principal consecrator.
In his remarks, Archbishop Wenski described Palm Beach as a natural fit for the new bishop, noting the strong ties between Florida and New York as well as the shared cultural warmth that echoes Rodríguez’s homeland. He also thanked retired Bishop Gerald Barbarito for years of service that strengthened and healed the local Church.
The liturgy reflected the multicultural reality of the diocese. Members of various communities contributed through music, readings, and symbolic gestures. Representatives of the Vietnamese community presented the offertory gifts, highlighting the universal character of Catholic worship.
Despite the solemnity of the rite, the celebration included moments of spontaneity that endeared the new bishop to the congregation. When his miter slipped more than once during the ceremony, Rodríguez responded with humor and composure, drawing smiles and reinforcing a sense of closeness with the faithful.
In his first address as bishop, Rodríguez spoke with energy and conviction. He declared his commitment to walk with his people in faith, emphasizing pastoral service, renewal, and missionary boldness. He pledged to prioritize families, support priests and deacons, encourage seminarians, and accompany immigrants, the sick, and the poor.
Quoting recent papal teaching, he reminded the faithful that in the Church there are no foreigners, only brothers and sisters united in Christ. His message of unity and hope resonated strongly with the congregation, marking the beginning of his episcopal ministry in Palm Beach.
