Robert Philip Reed
Stored: Robert Philip Reed
| The Most Reverend Robert Philip Reed | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Boston |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 6 July 1985 by Cardinal Bernard Law |
| Consecration: | 24 August 2016 by Cardinal Seán O’Malley |
| Rank: | Auxiliary Bishop |
| Created cardinal: | |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Robert Philip Reed June 11, 1959 Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Boston University |
| Motto: | In Cruce Gloria |
| Role: | Auxiliary |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | North America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Ineligible |
Robert Philip Reed, born June 11, 1959, is an American Catholic bishop, serving as Auxiliary Bishop of Boston since 2016. Ordained a priest in 1985, he is president of The CatholicTV Network, CEO of iCatholic Media, Inc., and pastor of St. Patrick and Sacred Heart parishes in Watertown, Massachusetts. Within the Roman Rite, Reed is known for advancing Catholic media, chairing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Communications, and promoting synodality and youth engagement.[1][2][3]
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Reed was inspired by the Saint John Vianney, emphasizing pastoral care. In 2025, at age 65, he was ineligible for the papal conclave as a non-cardinal, but his keynote at the 2024 Catholic Media Association conference and leadership in CatholicTV underscored his influence in evangelization. His book *Renewed* and media programs promote a vibrant Catholic faith, though some traditionalists favor his parish-based ministry over digital outreach.[4][5][6]
Biography
Birth and early life
Robert Philip Reed was born on June 11, 1959 in Boston, Massachusetts, to William L. and Jeanne Louise Reed, the youngest of five children.[7] Raised in Swampscott, Massachusetts, he attended St. John the Evangelist parochial school, where his family’s active parish life and the Sisters of St. Joseph inspired his vocation.[7] The death of his father in a car accident when Reed was seven deepened his faith, prompting questions about life’s purpose.[7]
Inspired by John Vianney’s humility, Reed discerned his priesthood call at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts.[8] His early exposure to televangelists like Robert Schuller shaped his media interest.[8]
Education
Reed earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint John’s Seminary in Boston and studied theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, earning a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.[1][2] He later obtained a master’s degree in television management from Boston University’s College of Communication.[8]
His Roman formation emphasized pastoral theology, while his Boston University degree equipped him for Catholic media leadership, blending faith and professionalism.[5]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 6 July 1985 by Cardinal Bernard Law for the Archdiocese of Boston at St. John the Evangelist Church in Swampscott, Reed served as associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Medford (1985–1989) and pastor at several Massachusetts parishes, including St. Mary’s in Lynn (1996–2005).[1][3] He joined the Boston Catholic Television Center in 1987, hosting *The Catholic Hour* radio program and serving as director of educational development, assistant director, and director.[3][9]
Appointed president of CatholicTV in 2005, Reed rebranded it as The CatholicTV Network, expanding its reach to 13.5 million homes via cable, streaming, and apps.[8] His media work balanced parish duties, earning praise for accessibility but some critique for prioritizing digital platforms.[5][6]
Bishop
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Boston and titular Bishop of Sufar on 3 June 2016 by Pope Francis, Reed was consecrated on 24 August 2016 by Cardinal Seán O’Malley at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, with Bishops Robert Peter Deeley and Arthur Kennedy as co-consecrators.[2][7] As of 2025, he serves as vicar general, regional bishop of the west region, and pastor of St. Patrick and Sacred Heart parishes in Watertown.[10]
In 2025, at age 65, Reed was ineligible for the conclave as a non-cardinal, but his leadership as chair of the USCCB Committee on Communications and his 2024 Catholic Media Association keynote emphasized authentic, heart-centered evangelization.[4][5] His book *Renewed* (2014) and TV series like *This Is The Day* promote faith renewal, though some traditionalists prefer his parish-based ministry.[3][6]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sufar | Titular Bishop | 3 June 2016 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis |
| Boston | Auxiliary Bishop | 3 June 2016 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis |
Significant events
- Born on 11 June 1959 in Boston, Massachusetts.[7]
- Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Boston by Cardinal Bernard Law on 6 July 1985.[1]
- Joined Boston Catholic Television Center in 1987, hosting *The Catholic Hour*.[3]
- Appointed president of The CatholicTV Network in 2005, rebranding and expanding it.[9]
- Published *Renewed: Ten Ways to Rediscover the Saints, Embrace Your Gifts, and Revive Your Catholic Faith* in 2014.[3]
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Boston and titular Bishop of Sufar on 3 June 2016, consecrated on 24 August 2016.[2]
- Became chair of the USCCB Committee on Communications in 2020, re-elected in 2023.[5]
- Appointed pastor of St. Patrick and Sacred Heart parishes in Watertown in 2021.[10]
- Delivered keynote address at the Catholic Media Association conference in Atlanta on 19 June 2024, emphasizing synodality and youth engagement.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically dedicated to Bishop Robert Philip Reed have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- Renewed: Ten Ways to Rediscover the Saints, Embrace Your Gifts, and Revive Your Catholic Faith, Ave Maria Press, 2014, ISBN 978-1594714702.[3]
External links
- Bishop Robert Philip Reed, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Most Reverend Robert P. Reed, Archdiocese of Boston
- About Bishop Robert Reed, The CatholicTV Network
- Boston auxiliary bishop Robert Reed to Catholic media: ‘I hope you see your good, important work as a genuine ministry’, The Dialog
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Most Reverend Robert P. Reed, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston". https://www.bostoncatholic.org/most-reverend-robert-p-reed.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Bishop Robert Philip Reed". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/breedrp.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "About Bishop Robert Reed". https://www.catholictv.org/bishop-robert-reed.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Boston auxiliary bishop Robert Reed to Catholic media: ‘I hope you see your good, important work as a genuine ministry’". 2024-06-21. https://thedialog.org/boston-auxiliary-bishop-robert-reed-to-catholic-media-i-hope-you-see-your-good-important-work-as-a-genuine-ministry/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "US bishops’ communications chairman: Catholic media must be authentic". 2024-06-20. https://catholicnews.com/us-bishops-communications-chairman-catholic-media-must-be-authentic/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Bishop Robert Reed: Living God's will 'has been the joy of my life'". 2016-08-26. https://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.php?id=177883.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "A conversation with Bishop Robert Reed". 2017-08-31. https://www.catholicdigest.com/a-conversation-with-bishop-robert-reed/.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Fr. Reed named president of CatholicTV". 2005-09-09. https://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.php?id=3050.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "About Bishop Robert Reed". https://watertowncatholic.com/bishop-robert-reed.