Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito was installed as the fifth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach on August 28, 2003, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Prior to this he had served as the 12th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg since January 7, 2000.

Bishop Barbarito was appointed to Ogdensburg by Pope John Paul II on October 26, 1999. He had served as Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn since 1994.

Bishop Gerald Michael Barbarito, the son of Anna Marie and the late Samuel A. Barbarito, was born in Brooklyn, January 4, 1950. He began his studies for the priesthood at Cathedral Prep Seminary in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, graduating in 1967.

He continued his studies at Cathedral College in Douglaston, Queens, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in 1971. His theology studies took place at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, New York, where upon completing his work in 1975, he received a Master of Divinity degree.

Before being ordained to the priesthood, Bishop Barbarito served as a deacon at St. Francis of Assisi, Astoria, Queens, for one year.

The Bishop was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Astoria, on January 31, 1976. After his ordination, he was assigned to St. Helen's Church in Howard Beach, Queens. He remained there until 1981, when Bishop Mugavero appointed him Assistant Chancellor. He held this position for one year and was then sent to the Catholic University of America in Washington for two years, where he earned a Licentiate in Canon Law.

The Bishop was named the Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1984, and he remained in that position until 1992, when Bishop Thomas V. Daily, Bishop of Brooklyn, appointed him secretary. Bishop Barbarito was master of ceremonies for Auxiliary Bishop Joseph P. Denning from 1984 to 1990.

Bishop Barbarito has served on the College of Consultors, the Priests' Personnel Board, the Presbyteral Council and as an appellate judge at the diocesan tribunal. He has also served as a consultant to the Canonical Affairs Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association and the Canon Law Society of America.

Bishop Barbarito was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn by Pope John Paul II on June 28, 1994. Bishop Barbarito was ordained a bishop on August 22, 1994, by Bishop Thomas V. Daily. Bishop Barbarito was assigned as Regional Bishop for Brooklyn Vicariate East as well as Vicar for Ministry for the Diocese of Brooklyn. As Vicar for Ministry, he assisted with the ongoing formation of priests in the diocese. His office was in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn.