Bishop Douglas J. Lucia
Bishop
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia is the 11th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, a position to which he was appointed by Pope Francis on June 4, 2019. In this role, he serves as the chief shepherd and principal spiritual leader for all the Catholic faithful and their parishes within the expansive seven-county diocese in Central New York.
As the ultimate local pastoral authority, his fundamental mission is to teach, sanctify, and govern. This significant responsibility involves the critical tasks of appointing and providing ongoing guidance to all pastors and priests, ensuring the authentic and unwavering proclamation of Catholic doctrine, and diligently overseeing both the temporal administration and the financial stewardship of the parishes. A major focus and defining characteristic of his episcopacy has been the implementation of a comprehensive pastoral planning process. This forward-looking initiative strategically links parishes and encourages collaboration to proactively address contemporary challenges, such as shifting demographics and a shortage of priests, aiming to ensure the long-term vitality and stability of the faith communities entrusted to his care.