James F. Checchio

James Checchio was born on April 21, 1966, in Camden, New Jersey. He attended Paul VI High School in Haddon Township, New Jersey, graduating in 1984.[1] He then entered the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1988.[1] Checchio subsequently entered the seminary and was sent to the Pontifical North American College in Rome to complete his formation for priestly ordination. He finished his university studies there with a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1993.[1]

Checchio was ordained a priest by Bishop James McHugh for the Diocese of Camden on June 20, 1992.[1][2] After completing his studies in Rome, Checchio returned to the Diocese of Camden, where he served as secretary to Bishop McHugh, Checchio also served as vice chancellor, director of communications, moderator of the curia, episcopal vicar and as [2]a member of the diocesan tribunal.[2] He served as administrator of Holy Spirit Parish in Atlantic City, New Jersey, parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Blackwood, New Jersey, and summer parochial vicar at St. Peter Parish in Merchantville, New Jersey and St. Peter Celestine Parish in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.[2]

Checchio then attended the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, where he earned a Doctor of Canon Law degree in 1998.[1][3] His dissertation was entitled An Examination of General Absolution Using the Criteria of a Juridic Act. In 2004, he also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia.[1][3]

In 2000, Checchio was appointed a chaplain of his holiness by Pope John Paul II, which carries with it the title of monsignor. He was appointed to honorary prelate by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.[2]

Prior to his assignment as rector of the Pontifical North American College, Checchio served as vice rector there for three years. At the recommendation of the College's episcopal oversight Board, the Holy See appointed him rector[3] on December 12, 2005, and his term began on January 16, 2006.[3] On November 23, 2015 it was announced that Checchio would be succeeded as rector by Father Peter C. Harman.[4] Checchio's term as Rector ended February 1, 2016,[4][5] at which time he returned to Camden.

On March 8, 2016, Checchio was appointed by Pope Francis to succeed to Bishop Paul Bootkoski as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen.[1] His episcopal consecration took place on May 3, 2016, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield, New Jersey.[6] The principal consecrator was Archbishop John J. Myers; the co-consecrators were Bishop Bootkoski and Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan.[6]