Vincent DePaul Breen
Encyclopedia
Bishop Vincent DePaul Breen (1936–30 March 2003) was the third bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen
in central New Jersey from 1997 until his resignation in 2002. Bishop Breen was born in 1936 in Brooklyn
, New York
. He died of pneumonia in 2003, aged 66, following a long illness consistent with Alzheimer's disease..
Bishop Breen was a Brooklyn, New York native and attended St. Francis Preparatory School
. He continued his studies at Cathedral College in Douglaston, Queens. After 2 years of studies he was sent to Rome
where he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University
and resided at the Pontifical North American College
. On July 15, 1962, he was ordained a priest in the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles, Rome. A year later, he graduated from North American College, Gregorian University, Rome, with a licentiate in sacred theology.
Breen worked as a parish priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn
for a short period of time and then was quickly appointed to be assistant superintendent of education for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Breen became an honorary prelate
(Monsignor) in 1977. In 1978 he was appointed as the Superintendent of Education for the Diocese of Brooklyn. He we subsequently elevated to the position of Vicar for Education of the Brooklyn Diocese.
In July 1997 Pope John Paul II
appointed Breen to be the Bishop of Metuchen and he was consecrated a bishop by then-Archbishop Theodore McCarrick.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen is a Roman Catholic diocese in New Jersey, centered in the borough of Metuchen. It was erected on November 19, 1981, from the territory of the Diocese of Trenton....
in central New Jersey from 1997 until his resignation in 2002. Bishop Breen was born in 1936 in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He died of pneumonia in 2003, aged 66, following a long illness consistent with Alzheimer's disease..
Bishop Breen was a Brooklyn, New York native and attended St. Francis Preparatory School
St. Francis Preparatory School
St. Francis Preparatory School, commonly known as St. Francis Prep, is a private, independent Catholic college preparatory school in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens. It is the largest non-diocesan Catholic high school in the United States. St. Francis is run by...
. He continued his studies at Cathedral College in Douglaston, Queens. After 2 years of studies he was sent to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
where he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
and resided at the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
. On July 15, 1962, he was ordained a priest in the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles, Rome. A year later, he graduated from North American College, Gregorian University, Rome, with a licentiate in sacred theology.
Breen worked as a parish priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn
Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes territory that was previously part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, was established as a separate diocese in 1853 when the City of Brooklyn was separate from New York City....
for a short period of time and then was quickly appointed to be assistant superintendent of education for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Breen became an honorary prelate
Honorary Prelate
An Honorary Prelate of His Holiness is a priest to whom the Pope has granted this title. They are addressed as Monsignor and have certain privileges as regards ecclesiastical dress...
(Monsignor) in 1977. In 1978 he was appointed as the Superintendent of Education for the Diocese of Brooklyn. He we subsequently elevated to the position of Vicar for Education of the Brooklyn Diocese.
In July 1997 Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
appointed Breen to be the Bishop of Metuchen and he was consecrated a bishop by then-Archbishop Theodore McCarrick.