New Bishop in Newark

The Holy Father has named as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark Monsignor Manuel A. Cruz, a priest of that Archdiocese and up to now Archdiocesan Director of Hospital Ministry.

Bishop-elect Cruz was born in Havana, Cuba in 1953 and came to the United States in 1966. He attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, from 1972 to 1976 where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. From 1976 to 1980, he pursued theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, obtaining a Masters in Sacred Scripture.

Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Newark May 31, 1980, he served as Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary parish in Elizabeth (1980-1982) and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (1982-1995). He has been Chaplain at Saint Michael’s Medical Center since 1995 and Archdiocesan Director of Hospital Services since 2003 and Vice President of Mission and Ministry for Catholic Health and Human Services since 2005.

From 1995 to 2001 he was a lecturer with the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark. He has held the title of Adjunct Assistant Professor since 2001. He is a member of the Society of Neuropathology of New York and a member of the Ethics Committee at Saint Michael’s Medical Center.

He was named a Chaplain to His Holiness December 7, 1999. He speaks English and Spanish.