Gary Studniewski
Gary Studniewski | |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary Bishop-elect of Washington | |
.jpg) | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Washington |
| Appointed | May 1, 2026 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 24, 1995 by James Aloysius Hickey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 8, 1957 |
| Education | University of Toledo Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas |
Gary Richard Studniewski (born May 8, 1957) is an American Catholic priest who was appointed an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington in 2026.
Early life and education
[edit]Gary Richard Studniewski was born on May 8, 1957, in Toledo, Ohio.[1] He is the son of the late Richard and Alfreda (née Zarecki) Studniewski,[2] and he had a sister, Karen.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Education in biology from the University of Toledo, where he also joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC).[1]
Upon graduation, Studniewski received a commission in the U.S. Army. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery (1980–1981), 3rd Infantry Division Artillery (1983–1986), and Army Personnel Command in Alexandria (1987–1989).[1]
Ministry
[edit]Parishes and chaplaincy
[edit]In 1989, Studniewski left active duty to study for the priesthood. He began his formation at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and continued his studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College.[2] He earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
On June 24, 1995, Studniewski was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington.[1] He briefly served as a parochial vicar at St. John Parish in Hollywood, Maryland, before re-entering active Army service as a chaplain. He ministered to the 82nd Airborne Division (1998–2000), Multinational Force and Observers (2001), and Fort Belvoir (2002–2005).[4] He was next assigned to the office of the Chief of Chaplains at The Pentagon, and then deployed with the 555th Engineer Brigade in Iraq.
Upon returning from Iraq, Studniewski was promoted to the rank of colonel and appointed garrison chaplain at the new Joint Base Lewis–McChord in 2009.[4] He then became the command chaplain for United States Army North at Fort Sam Houston in 2012. His last military assignment was as command chaplain at the Joint Force Headquarters – National Capital Region (2014–2016).
Studniewski retired as an Army chaplain in 2016. He then served as administrator of St. Francis Xavier Church in Leonardtown, Maryland (2016–2017) and pastor of St. Peter's on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (2017–2022).[2] While serving at St. Peter’s, he denounced the January 6 United States Capitol attack, describing the “sickening unrest” as “very disturbing, very disheartening.”[5]
Since 2022, Studniewski has been pastor of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington.[1]
Auxiliary Bishop of Washington
[edit]On May 1, 2026, Studniewski was appointed as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington and as Titular Bishop of Jamestown by Pope Leo XIV.[1][6] On July 7, 2026, Studniewski and Robert P. Boxie are scheduled to be consecrated as bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Pope Leo XIV Appoints Two New Auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of Washington; Accepts Resignation of Most Reverend Roy Campbell". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. May 1, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Marking 25th anniversary, Father Studniewski sees his ministry as bringing Christ to people, and people to Christ". Catholic Standard. August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Karen S. Szczublewski". Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe.
- ^ a b "Welcome, Rev. Gary Studniewski!". Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
- ^ "Updated: Capitol Hill pastors reflect on attack on U.S. Capitol that hit close to home". Catholic Standard. January 10, 2021.
- ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 01.05.2026". Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ^ "Pope Leo XIV names local priests Father Gary Studniewski and Father Robert Boxie as new auxiliary bishops of Washington". Catholic Standard. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
External links
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