Bishop Joseph Dabrowski replaces Richard Grecco as P.E.I. top Catholic leader

The new bishop of the Diocese of Charlottetown wants everyone on P.E.I. to feel welcome in the Catholic church "no matter where they are in the journey of faith."

Pope Francis has appointed 58-year-old Joseph Dabrowski as the 14th bishop of the Charlottetown diocese, two years after the retirement of Bishop Richard Grecco. He will oversee the 50 Catholic parishes on P.E.I.

Dabrowski, who was born in Poland, was formerly the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of London, Ont.

In an interview Sunday,Dabrowski said the past few years have been difficult for Islanders, with the COVID-19 pandemic, post-tropical storm Fiona, and rising costs of goods and services.

He said he wants to "journey with them" and he welcomes anyonewho "may be alienated one way or anotherfrom the church" to come back.

I am honoured and at the same time humbled by this appointment. Bishop Joseph Dabrowski

"I look forward to journey withthem and being their spiritual father and shepherd. And again I am honoured and at the same time humbled by this appointment. So I just want to listen [to] people's stories. I want to get to know them. Iheard a lot of wonderful things about Prince Edward Island province and the Roman Catholic. They are very welcoming."

Dabrowski will be installed at a ceremony at St. Dunstan's Basilica in Charlottetown at a later date.