The man Pope Francis has picked to lead Rhode Island’s Roman Catholics spoke out six years ago when the first Trump administration planned a mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. At the time, the Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski was an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
“If something is wrong, it’s up to the church to speak out,” Lewandowski told reporters Tuesday. “To be human is to be political, right?”
His comments came Tuesday morning when he was formally introduced as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Providence at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul — a little more than five months after his predecessor left to lead the Archdiocese of Boston.
Lewandowski will officially be installed to his new duties May 20.
He succeeds the Most Rev. Richard Henning, who was selected by Pope Francis last August to lead the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.
Lewandowski is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, something he was quick to showcase during his Rhode Island introduction. He was often brought to tears as he spoke in Spanish.
“Con más de 30 años sirviendo a la comunidad Hispana, es mi vida,” he said. (“With more than 30 years serving the Hispanic community, this is my life.”)
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Lewandowski grew up on a farm before being ordained a priest in 1994 in Washington D.C. He did missionary work in the Caribbean and was a pastor in the Bronx and Philadelphia before serving in Baltimore.
Henning commended Lewandowski’s appointment to his former diocese.
“I have a deep love for that diocese and its people, and I am grateful that the Holy Father has chosen a joyful and energetic young bishop who speaks Spanish and Portuguese and has experience in pastoral planning,” he said in a statement. “I wish Bishop Bruce Lewandowski every blessing as he exercises his ministry in the state of hope!”
Henning was on the job for a little over a year, himself succeeding the ever outspoken Thomas Tobin in May 2023. Tobin often used social media to share his unapologetic stance opposing abortion and same-sex marriage.
Henning, meanwhile, tried to stay out of politics — save for using the influence of the diocese to push for a ban on assault-style weapons and vocalizing his pro-life stance.
Lewandowski has been especially vocal against mass deportations conducted by the Trump Administration, which he once compared to “an act of domestic terrorism” in 2019. His stance has not shifted since then.
“A humane enforcement of immigration laws that respects the dignity of every person is what’s in order, “ Lewandowski told reporters Monday. “Rounding up people, using fear and manipulation as a tactic to drive people away, the politics of harassment — I don’t think there’s a place for that, it doesn’t go with the way Jesus treated people.”
Pope Francis too has been critical of Trump’s immigration policies. He sent a letter to U.S. bishops on Feb. 10 saying that criminalizing undocumented immigrants and taking measures built on force “will end badly.”
The church has historically advocated for the rights and dignity of everyone, Lewandowski said.
“Every person reflects the image and likeness of God,” he said. “We’re here to protect, defend, and care for and nurture that in every single person — man, woman and child — from conception to natural death.”
‘Heaven on Earth’
Lewandowski, 57, received the news about his new job on March 29 while driving around “the wilds of Maryland.”
He said he received a call from the apostolic nuncio to the United States asking one question: Was he alone?
After confirming he was, Lewandowski was told he was moving to Rhode Island.
Rounding up people, using fear and manipulation as a tactic to drive people away, the politics of harassment — I don’t think there’s a place for that, it doesn’t go with the way Jesus treated people.
He said Tuesday he was still in disbelief that he was chosen to serve in “a beautiful place” such as Rhode Island.
“I think it’s a piece of Heaven on Earth,” he said.
As he assumes the role of bishop, Lewandowski said he intends to meet people wherever they are at — especially if there’s a meal involved.
“I love to eat,” he said. “I’ve been accused of begging but I love ice cream, chocolate, cake, cookies, pies, I have a terrible sweet tooth — I’m surprised I have any teeth left.”
This story was originally published by the Rhode Island Current.
