Robert Francis Joyce

Robert Francis Joyce (October 7, 1896—September 2, 1990) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Burlington in Vermont from 1956 to 1971.

Biography

Early life Robert Joyce was born on October 7, 1896, in Proctor, Vermont, to Patrick Joseph and Ellen (née Connor) Joyce. After graduating from Proctor High School, he studied at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, and the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec.

Priesthood Joyce was ordained to the priesthood in Burlington for the Diocese of Burlington by Bishop Joseph John Rice in Burlington on May 26, 1923. Joyce then did pastoral work in the diocese until 1927, when he was appointed principal of the Cathedral High School in South Burlington, Vermont. He resumed his pastoral ministry in 1932.

After the death of Bishop Ryan, Pius XII named Joyce as the sixth bishop of Burlington on December 29, 1956. He was installed on February 26, 1957. Joyce attended the Second Vatican Council in Rome from 1962 to 1965, and served on the national board of the American Cancer Society for ten years.