Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, will ordain Father Pedro Bismarck Chau as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark on September 8 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Cardinal Tobin will act as principal celebrant and homilist during the ceremony.

Assisting Cardinal Tobin as co-consecrators are emeriti bishops John W. Flesey and Gregory J. Studerus, both former auxiliary bishops whose retirements were recently accepted. Bishop-elect Chau will succeed Bishop Studerus as regional bishop for Hudson County and is noted as the first Nicaraguan-born bishop in the United States.

Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, is scheduled to read the mandate from Pope Leo XIV appointing Bishop-elect Chau to his new role within the archdiocese.

The Mass will also be concelebrated by Bishop Silvio José Báez of Managua, Nicaragua; Auxiliary Bishops Manuel A. Cruz, Elias R. Lorenzo, and Michael A. Saporito of Newark; along with bishops from neighboring states including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and Louisiana. Priests from across the archdiocese will participate alongside deacons, members of religious orders, seminarians, fraternal organizations and community guests. The public is invited to attend.

“We are grateful to our Holy Father for the gift of Bishop-elect Chau,” Cardinal Tobin said. “His deep faith, pastoral experience and love for the people of God are blessings for our local Church. I look forward to his service as we continue our mission to witness to Jesus Christ, and I invite all the faithful to pray for him as he prepares for this new role of leadership.”

Auxiliary bishops provide support with pastoral care and administration within a diocese. Their responsibilities often include administering sacraments and representing the archbishop at liturgical events.

The Rite of Ordination will take place after readings from scripture and traditional hymns invoking guidance from the Holy Spirit. Cardinal Pierre will read Pope Leo XIV’s mandate confirming Father Chau’s appointment before Cardinal Tobin delivers his homily.

Bishop-elect Chau will make solemn vows before prostrating himself during prayers led by those assembled. The rite includes laying on of hands by attending bishops—a central action in ordination—followed by recitation of prayers consecrating him as bishop.

As part of assuming office, Bishop Chau will receive symbols representing various aspects of episcopal ministry: a Book of Gospels (for preaching), a ring (signifying unity), a miter (holiness), and a crosier (pastoral leadership). The ceremony concludes with greetings among clergy before newly ordained Bishop Chau blesses attendees.

The event is set to be livestreamed on YouTube via Cathedral Basilica’s channel.

Born June 28, 1967 in Managua before immigrating to America in 1984, Pedro Bismarck Chau earned degrees at Seton Hall University and Immaculate Conception Seminary prior to being ordained in 2008 for Newark’s archdiocese. His ministry has included parish work at St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral and St. John’s Church in Newark along with campus chaplaincies at Rutgers University and NJIT; since 2020 he has served as rector at Cathedral Basilica.

As auxiliary bishop he will assist Cardinal Tobin especially regarding Hudson County duties.

Further information about Bishop Chau can be found at www.rcan.org/bishop-chau or JerseyCatholic.org.