PROVIDENCE (RI)
WJAR-TV, NBC-10 [Providence RI]
August 4, 2024
By JOHN PERIK
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The Vatican is reportedly planning to name Providence Bishop Richard Henning as the new archbishop of Boston.
NBC News reported that it has confirmed through its Catholic Church sources that Henning will succeed Cardinal Seán O’Malley.
Many Catholics attending a Sunday service at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence told NBC 10 News that they’re happy to hear Henning is expected to be the new archbishop of Boston.
Henning is 60, and he hasn’t been in Providence for too long. He was named coadjutor bishop in 2022 and succeeded Bishop Thomas Tobin just last year.
NBC 10 News has learned that Henning was on Block Island Saturday night delivering a blessing at a social event and that he is expected to head to Montreal on Monday.
It’s unclear who would succeed Henning in the Providence Diocese.
O’Malley turned 80 years old in June and can no longer participate in voting for a new pope. He submitted his resignation at age 75, but the pope asked him to stay.
He had previously served as the bishop of Fall River. His success in getting the diocese through an abuse scandal led the Vatican to call on him to take over the troubled Boston Archdiocese.