The Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect Gary R. Studniewski and Bishop-elect Robert P. Boxie III as new auxiliary bishops of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will take place on Tuesday July 7, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave., N.E., Washington, D.C.
Washington Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, archbishop of Washington, will ordain the two new bishops in the presence of their family members, current and former parishioners, and more than 170 priests and bishops from this archdiocese and around the United States. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop emeritus of Washington, and Bishop Mark E. Brennan, bishop emeritus of Wheeling-Charleston, will serve as co-consecrators.
Bishop-elect Studniewski brings an immensely rich and varied life of accomplishment and service to his new role in the Church. A native of Toledo, Ohio, the Bishop-elect was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese in 1995 and has served as a parochial vicar; a distinguished chaplain in the United States Army rising to the rank of Colonel; and pastor of both Saint Peter's Parish on Capitol Hill and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. As a dean, member of the presbyteral council and mentor to our newly ordained, he has shown the Christ-like love and priestliness that are emblematic of our presbyterate. In each of these roles, he has demonstrated profound faith, collaborative leadership, pastoral sensitivity, initiative and zeal, making him an ideal candidate for the episcopacy. Bishop-elect Studniewski has chosen "My Grace is Enough for You" as his episcopal motto.
Bishop-elect Boxie was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After graduating from Vanderbilt and Harvard Law School, he came to D.C. to clerk for a federal judge then worked in a law firm. but experienced an ever-deepening confirmation of the call to the priesthood. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese in 2016 and his first assignment was parochial vicar at Saint Joseph in Largo. Most recently, he has served as the Catholic chaplain for Howard University, where he has deeply enhanced the ministry and community there, while building a chapel and dramatically renewing the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center. He has a priestly heart and keen intelligence, as well as the prayerful compassion and evangelizing core that will be a great gift to our local church in deepening our outreach to all and helping particularly to enrich our black communities. He has chosen "O Lord, Give Me Wisdom" as his episcopal motto.
The Episcopal Ordination Mass is open to the public. A procession will begin at 1:30 p.m., and it is recommended that people arrive early.
