Peter Anthony Libasci


Peter Anthony Libasci is an Italian-American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who serves as the tenth and current Bishop of the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire. He is also a bi-ritual priest, being permitted to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and administer the sacraments in both the Latin Church and the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church.

Biography

Early life and education

Peter A. Libasci was born on 9 November 1951, in Jackson Heights, New York. He attended St. Margaret School, Middle Village, N.Y., followed by Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, Elmhurst, N.Y. He obtained a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. John's University in Queens, New York, and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. After the priestly ordination he received master's degree in Theology-Catechetical Ministry at St. John's University.

Ordination and ministry

On 1 April 1978, Libasci was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He served as parochial vicar at Saint Raymond’s Parish, East Rockaway, and at Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish, Deer Park, New York ; parish administrator at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Inwood,, and then pastor of the same parish. From 2000 to 2007 Libasci was pastor at Saint Therese of Lisieux Parish, Montauk
On 10 December 2004, he was named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness, by Pope John Paul II with the title of monsignor.

Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, New York

Msgr. Libasci was named titular bishop of Satafis, and auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre, on 3 April 2007. He received his episcopal consecration on 1 June 2007 from William Murphy, bishop of Rockville Centre, with auxiliary bishops Emil Aloysius Wcela, Paul Henry Walsh and John Charles Dunne serving as co-consecrators.
As auxiliary bishop, he was episcopal vicar for the Vicariate East, of the Diocese. He also celebrated the liturgy for the Ruthenian Catholic community, which celebrates liturgy in the Byzantine rite.

Bishop of Manchester, New Hampshire

Bishop Libasci was named as the tenth bishop of Manchester on 19 September 2011, and was installed on December 8.

Episcopal succession