Introducing Coadjutor Archbishop James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA

September 24, 2025

To the Clergy, Religious, and Laity of the Archdiocese of New Orleans:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It is with great hope for the future of our archdiocese that I share the news that the Holy Father has appointed Most Reverend James F. Checchio of the Diocese of Metuchen as Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans. We will introduce Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio at a press conference at 10 a.m. this morning at Notre Dame Seminary. The press conference will be live streamed via YouTube and a link on our website at nolacatholic.org.

As Coadjutor Archbishop, he will assist me in the role of archbishop and has 'the right of succession' upon my retirement. It is our intent to host a Mass of Welcome in the coming weeks, and I will continue in the role of Archbishop until the bankruptcy is concluded and other matters of pastoral care of the Archdiocese of New Orleans are accomplished.

Allow me to offer a brief introduction of Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio. He is a native of Camden, New Jersey and was named the Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen by Pope Francis on March 8, 2016. He was ordained and installed as the Fifth Bishop of Metuchen on May 3, 2016. Before being named bishop, he served as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome from January 2006 to January 2016, after serving as vice rector there for two and a half years. He studied at North American College, Rome, and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Camden, N.J. on June 20, 1992. Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio has a degree in Sacred Theology, a Master of Business Administration, and doctorate in Canon Law. His complete Curriculum Vitae can be found online here.

Please join me in welcoming Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio to the Archdiocese of New Orleans!

Wishing you God’s blessings, I am,

Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans