Joseph John Gerry

Joseph John Gerry, O.S.B., (September 12, 1928 – July 2, 2023) was an American Benedictine monk and prelate of the Catholic Church.

Gerry served as the third abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey until he was appointed an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Manchester in New Hampshire in 1986. He then served as bishop of the Diocese of Portland in Maine from 1989 to 2004.

Early life Joseph Gerry was born in Millinocket, Maine, on September 12, 1928. In 1945, he graduated from George W. Stearns High School in Millinocket. Gerry then entered Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Gerry obtained his novitiate at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. On July 2, 1948, Gerry made his profession of religious vows as a monk at St. Anselm Abbey in New Hampshire.

Priestly ministry On June 12, 1954, Gerry was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Matthew Brady at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Manchester, New Hampshire. In 1955, Gerry earned a Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Toronto.

From 1958 to 1986, Gerry was a professor of philosophy and humanities at Saint Anselm College. In 1959, he received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Fordham University in New York City. That same year, Gerry was appointed subprior of St. Anselm Abbey. He was appointed prior in 1963 and on January 6, 1972 was elected abbot. At Saint Anselm College, Gerry also served as academic dean (1971–1972) and chancellor (1972–1986).

Gerry was also very engaged in interfaith dialogue with Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. He was active in the DIMMID, was appointed member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and participated in the first Gethsemani Encounter in 1996 together with the Dalai Lama.

On March 9, 2002, Gerry removed two priests from ministry in the diocese. The two men, Reverend Michael Doucette and Reverend John Audibert, had admitted to sexually abusing different boys during the 1980's. Gerry said that the men would not be transferred to other parishes. On February 4, 2004, Gerry advised the Maine Legislature not to legalize same sex marriage, calling it a violation of "natural law".

Retirement On reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Gerry submitted his letter of resignation as bishop of Portland to John Paul II in September 2003. His resignation was accepted on February 10, 2004, and he was succeeded by Bishop Joseph Malone.