On May 1, Pope Leo XIV named two local priests, Father Gary Studniewski and Father Robert Boxie III, as new auxiliary bishops of Washington, and the pope also accepted the resignation of Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr. from the office of auxiliary bishop of Washington. Bishop Campbell, who is now 78, is retiring. As required by canon law, he had submitted his resignation to the pope in 2022 when he turned 75.
Bishop Campbell expressed joy at the appointments of Bishop-elect Boxie and Bishop-elect Studniewski, pointing to their pastoral experience and care for the faithful. In recent years, Bishop-elect Studniewski has served as the pastor of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Washington, and Bishop-elect Boxie has served as the Catholic chaplain at the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center at Howard University.
“Bishops-elect Boxie and Studniewski bring a pastor’s heart to the role of assisting our shepherd, Robert Cardinal McElroy, in loving and serving the faithful of the Archdiocese of Washington,” he said in a statement.
He highlighted Bishop-elect Boxie’s work with young people and diverse communities, and Bishop-elect Studniewski’s pastoral care for parishioners and families, saying both will “bring their pastoral gifts to their episcopal ministries to enrich the lives of God’s people.”
At a May 1 press conference at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Hyattsville where the newly named bishops were introduced, Cardinal McElroy commended Bishop Campbell for his ministry.
After retiring from a career in banking, then-Father Campbell was ordained as a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington in 2007. Following his ordination, he served as a parochial vicar at St. Augustine Parish in Washington. Then-Father Campbell was appointed as the pastor of Assumption Parish in Washington in 2007 and then as the pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Largo in 2010.
In 2017, Bishop Campbell was ordained as an auxiliary bishop of Washington. In recent years in addition to continuing to serve as the pastor of St. Joseph Parish, he has also served as the president of the National Black Catholic Congress.
“I also want to thank Bishop Roy Campbell. You have served faithfully, and I have benefited from your wisdom. You are a gentleman, and you reflect that in your leadership,” Cardinal McElroy said.
In a statement, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, an archbishop emeritus of Washington, also expressed gratitude for Bishop Campbell’s years of service.
“He has been a generous and effective bishop for us since 2017,” Cardinal Gregory said. “He enjoys the well-deserved respect and admiration of the people of this local Church.”
Bishop Campbell served as a mentor to then-Father Boxie when the recently ordained priest was assigned as a parochial vicar at St. Joseph Church in Largo from 2017 to 2020.
At the press conference, Bishop-elect Boxie praised Bishop Campbell, saying, “I want to thank you in a particular way as you enter this next phase of ministry. You have served the archdiocese faithfully and with great dedication. I know this personally, because I had the privilege of serving as your parochial vicar for three years at St. Joseph in Largo. Your example of hard work and faithful service carried out with a pastor’s heart has meant a great dealt to me, especially knowing that you had not one, but multiple jobs. It’s a great honor to follow you as an auxiliary bishop.”
Following the May 1 press conference at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, Bishop Campbell reflected on the transition and offered advice to the newly appointed bishops.
“Rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, because God gives us what we need when we need it, and how He wants us to be is up to Him,” he said.
Though stepping down as auxiliary bishop, he indicated his retirement will still include leading St. Joseph Parish. Cardinal McElroy in a letter to priests said that Bishop Campbell would continue serving as the pastor of St. Joseph Parish until July.
“I know I have been asked to stay as a pastor,” he said. “So I do not get to leave everything right away.”
Bishop Campbell also continues to serve as the president of the National Black Catholic Congress.
Reflecting on what comes next, he spoke simply about remaining present in the life of the Church in the Archdiocese of Washington.
“I will still be around. A priest never really retires, right?” he said.
