Abbot Lorenzo Elias, OSB, president of American Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine monasteries, was named Auxiliary Bishop of Newark by Pope Francis on Feb. 27, 2020, along with two Newark priests, Reverend Michael A. Saporito, and Reverend Monsignor Gregory J. Studerus. Once ordained a bishop, he will be the only U.S. bishop in active ministry who is a Benedictine.
Abbot Elias has been an active member of CMSM and was a presenter at our 2019 National Assembly on the present and future of religious life (“Back to the Future”). CMSM congratulates Bishop-elect Elias, and offers prayers and support as he takes on this new challenge and responsibility to serve the people of Newark.
About Bishop-elect Elias
Bishop-elect Elias Lorenzo, OSB, entered Saint Mary’s Abbey, Morristown, NJ, in 1983. He made his first monastic profession in 1985 and was ordained in 1989. He holds master’s degrees in liturgical theology and counseling psychology, and a licentiate in canon law. He has 30+ years of experience in secondary school education and administration. For the Abbey, he served director of liturgy, prior, and rector of church.
He was Vicar for Religious in the Diocese of Metuchen, and canonical counsel for Praesidium, Inc., during development of the National Standards, and serves on Praesidium’s advisory board.
For the global Benedictine Confederation, he served as prior of the college at Sant’Anselmo in Rome, and as Procurator General for the Order. He is a founding member and president of the International Commission for Benedictine Education. In 2016, he was elected Abbot President of American Cassinese Congregation, which includes 25 monasteries in 6 countries, sponsoring 9 colleges and universities and 14 secondary schools in North and South America.
