John Huston Ricard facts for kids

Styles of John Huston Ricard
Reference style	His Excellency The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Religious style	Bishop

John Huston Ricard, born on February 29, 1940, is an American Catholic leader. He served as the Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 1997 to 2011. Before that, he was an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore from 1984 to 1997.

Ricard was chosen as the top leader, called the superior general, of the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 2019. He was chosen again for this role in 2023.

About John Ricard

Early Life and School

John Ricard was born on February 29, 1940, in New Roads, Louisiana. His family has Creole roots. After finishing high school at Xavier University Preparatory School in New Orleans in 1958, he joined a religious group called the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephites). He began his training at the Mary Immaculate Novitiate in Walden, New York.

Ricard then went to Epiphany Apostolic College in Newburgh, New York. He finished his studies in theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Becoming a Priest

On May 25, 1968, Ricard became a priest. Bishop Robert Tracy led the ceremony. After becoming a priest, Ricard worked as an assistant pastor at St. Peter Claver Parish in New Orleans. In 1970, he earned a master's degree from Tulane University in New Orleans.

In 1972, the Josephites sent Ricard to Washington to lead Holy Redeemer Parish. In 1975, he moved to become the leader at Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Parish in Washington. From 1976 to 1978, Ricard also taught at the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

In 1979, Ricard became the leader of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Washington. He earned a doctorate degree from Catholic University in 1983. He also studied at the Washington School for Psychotherapy and worked as a therapist in Southeast Washington, D.C..

Serving as Auxiliary Bishop

On May 25, 1984, Pope John Paul II chose Ricard to be an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. This meant he would help the main bishop. He was officially made a bishop on July 2, 1984, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. Archbishop William Borders led this special ceremony.

In 1987, Ricard helped restart the Colored Catholic Congress movement. He was the legal representative for the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) when it became an official organization. He was the president of the NBCC from that time until 2019.

Leading as Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee

On January 20, 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed Ricard as the Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He officially started his new role on March 13, 1997.

During his time as bishop, Ricard was the head of Catholic Relief Services from 1995 to 2002. He also worked with the Pontifical Council Cor Unum in Rome. From 1992 to 1995, he led the USCCB's Committee on Social Development and World Peace. He was also a member of the USCCB's group for Black Catholics.

On December 22, 2009, Ricard had a stroke and received medical care at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

Retirement from Bishop Role

In February 2011, Ricard sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking to step down as bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee because of his health. The Pope accepted his request on March 11, 2011.

Josephite Leadership

In June 2011, Ricard was chosen to be the leader of his old school, St. Joseph's Seminary.

In June 2019, Ricard was elected as the superior general of the Josephites. This means he is the main leader of the Josephite religious group. On November 24, 2021, Ricard and Archbishop Wilton Gregory spoke out for justice after the 2020 death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.

Ricard was chosen again as the superior general of the Josephites in 2023.

Family Life

John Ricard is a cousin of Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville. Archbishop Fabre is also from New Roads, Louisiana.

See Also

Bishop Succession