Ann Ritonia

The Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia is an American bishop currently serving as bishop suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries. She was consecrated on September 30, 2023.[1][2]

Early life and education

Ritonia grew up in a Roman Catholic family that was deeply involved in their local church in Norwood, Massachusetts.[1]

She studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music and played the euphonium, and later continued her education at the Armed Forces School of Music.[1]

Career

Marines

In 1980 Ritonia joined the United States Marine Corps, entering the first Officer Candidates School class that included both men and women.[1]

She served in the Marine Corps and later in the Marine Corps Reserve for 17 years, including as administrative officer at Parris Island, South Carolina. She also commanded an engineering unit in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and retired in the rank of major. She was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.[2]

Episcopal Church

While serving as a lay music minister at a Roman Catholic church, Ritonia was offered a similar position at an Episcopal church and began contemplating ordination. She studied at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington and spent a year at the Anglican Virginia Theological Seminary.[1]

Following her ordination, Ritonia served in parishes in Virginia and Connecticut. In 2017, after serving as Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Poolesville, Maryland, she was appointed rector of St. John's Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. She has also been a chaplain for the Marine Corps League and for the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.[2]

On 12 March 2023 she was elected to succeed the Rt. Rev. Carl Wright as bishop suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries.[3][4] She was consecrated in September 2023 at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, in Washington, D.C..[1]

Family

With her husband, Michael, a former operations executive for AOL, Ritonia has four children.[2]

References
  1. The Living Church, "Marine Veteran & Mother of 4 Elected Bishop for Armed Forces", 21 March 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  2. The Episcopal Church, Armed Forces and Federal Ministries: Bishop candidate - The Rev. Ann Ritonia. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  3. Episcopal News Service, "Episcopal bishop suffragan for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries nominees announced", 13 February 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  4. Anglican Link press release, "House of Bishops elects Armed Forces and Federal Ministries bishop suffragan and Navajoland provisional bishop, reaffirms trans rights", 15 March 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
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