Reverend Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez
Welcome to the Reverend Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, LL.B., J.C.D.
Appointed Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, currently pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Corona (Queens), New York, as the sixth Bishop of Palm Beach. The bishop-elect succeeds Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, who has served the diocese since 2003.
News
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, currently pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Corona (Queens), New York, as the sixth Bishop of Palm Beach. The bishop-elect succeeds Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, who has served the diocese since 2003.
Sunday to Sunday video with Father Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez, produced in the William J. Loschert Studio at America Media in New York City.
Santa Claus does have a fanbase in the Dominican Republic, but not as strong as the Baby Jesus, the Three Kings, and La Vieja Belén. These characters are among the happy Christmas memories of Father Manuel Rodriguez, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Corona, Queens.
Click here to read about how bishops are chosen and appointed
Live Stream Events
Press conference
> Diocese of Palm beach Facebook Live
Friday December 19, 2025, 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Family life Center
Bishop-Elect Bulletin Inserts
Biography
A native of the Dominican Republic, Bishop-Elect Rodríguez was ordained to the priesthood July 3, 2004, in Santo Domingo, and became affiliated with (incardinated into) the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, on June 29, 2012. He is a canon lawyer with extensive experience in penal canon law and pastoral leadership. Besides his parish responsibilities in Queens, he serves in senior juridical roles in the Brooklyn Diocese, including promoter of justice and delegate of the diocesan bishop for penal cases. Bishop-Elect Rodríguez is fluent in four languages (English, Spanish, Italian and French).
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, currently pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Corona (Queens), New York, as the sixth Bishop of Palm Beach. The bishop-elect succeeds Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, who has served the diocese since 2003.
Curriculum Vitae
Click here to download the Curriculum Vitae
Catholic priest and canon lawyer with extensive experience in penal canon law and pastoral leadership. Currently serving in senior juridical roles within the Diocese of Brooklyn, including Promoter of Justice and Delegate of the Diocesan Bishop for Penal Cases. Combines advanced canonical scholarship, international academic formation, and long-standing parish leadership.
ORDINATION & INCARDINATION
- Diaconal Ordination: June 29, 2003 – Rome, Italy
- Presbyteral Ordination: July 3, 2004 – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Incardination: Diocese of Brooklyn – June 29, 2012
EDUCATION
- Doctor of Canon Law (J.C.D.), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, 2024
- Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.), The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 2016
- M.S. in Education, Universidad INTEC, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 2008
- M.S. in Administration of Educational Centers, Universidad INTEC, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 2005
- B.A. in Theology, Pontificia Università Salesiana, Rome, Italy, 2003
- B.A. in Law, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic, 1998
- B.A. in Education (Literature Specialization), Universidad Católica Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 1997
- B.A. in Philosophy, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic, 1996
DIOCESAN & CANONICAL APPOINTMENTS
- Promoter of Justice, Diocese of Brooklyn (2025–present)
- Delegate of the Diocesan Bishop for Penal Cases, Diocese of Brooklyn (2025–present)
- Defender of the Bond, Diocese of Brooklyn (2017–present)
- Priest Instructor for Cases of Removal from the Clerical State, Diocese of Brooklyn (2016–present)
PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
- Pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Corona (Queens), NY (2020–present)
- Pastor, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Jamaica (Queens), NY (2014–2020)
- Pastor, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Williamsburg (Brooklyn), NY (2011–2014)
- Parochial Vicar, Saint Michael Parish, Sunset Park (Brooklyn), NY (2009–2011)
ACADEMIC & FORMATION EXPERIENCE
- Theology and Canon Law Instructor, Holy Spirit Institute, Diocese of Brooklyn (2009–2020)
- Professor of Philosophy and Professional Ethics, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (1996–1998; 2004–2009)
LANGUAGES
Spanish (native) · English (fluent) · Italian (fluent) · French (fluent)
