Sacred Heart Major Seminary congratulates Monsignor Robert J. McClory on his appointment as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. On behalf of Pope Francis, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio for the United States, publicized the appointment on November 26, 2019, in Washington D.C.
"The people in the Diocese of Gary are blessed to have a good shepherd and spiritual father in Bishop-elect McClory," stated Msgr. Todd Lajiness, rector and president of Sacred Heart. "He has been a great blessing to the Archdiocese of Detroit and certainly to Sacred Heart Major Seminary, not only in his service as a member of the Board of Trustees, but also as a part time faculty member and facilitator of Good Leaders Good Shepherds for our seminarians. We offer prayers for him as he begins this new appointment."
Upon his ordination and installation on February 11, 2020, Bishop-elect McClory will join over thirty other alumni of Sacred Heart to be elevated to the role of bishop.
“I am honored and humbled that the Holy Father has appointed me as the bishop of Gary,” said Bishop-elect Robert McClory. “During this week in which we celebrate Thanksgiving, my heart is full of gratitude that he has entrusted me to serve the people of northwest Indiana. I look forward to getting to know the needs of our local church and, together, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
A native to the city of Detroit, Bishop-elect McClory was born on October 10, 1963. Before answering the call to the priesthood, he pursued a career in civil law which he practiced from 1991-1994. From 1994-1995, he studied philosophy at Sacred Heart Major Seminary before completing a Bachelor of Sacred Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome (1998), and a Licentiate of Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome (2000).
“Here in Monsignor McClory’s home diocese, he is recognized as a zealous priest who generously devotes all the talents God has blessed him with to the ministry of spreading the Gospel,” said the Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron. “The pastors and people of the Church of Gary will find themselves blessed by his service. We, the priests, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit, send him on mission with our heartfelt prayers.”
Bishop-elect McClory has filled several roles for the Archdiocese of Detroit since his ordination on May 22, 1999. He served at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Shelby Township (2000-2001), St. Isidore Parish, Macomb Township (2001-2002), Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Waterford (2002-2004), St. Blasé Parish, Sterling Heights (2004-2011), and Presentation/Our Lady of Victory Parish, Detroit (2011-2017). Most recently, he has served as the rector of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak (2018-present). In addition to parish assignments, he served as the Administrative Secretary to Cardinal Adam Maida (2002-2003), Chancellor (2003-2009), and Moderator of the Curia and Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Detroit (2009-2018).