Sede Vacante
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SEDE VACANTE
Translates to: "The Seat is Vacant"On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop James F. Checchio, Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, as the Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans. According to the Church's Canon Law, a "Coadjutor" bishop is appointed to assist the diocesan bishop until his retirement. This means that New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond will continue to lead the Archdiocese of New Orleans, until such time that the Holy Father accepts his resignation. When that happens, he will then be automatically succeeded by Archbishop-designate Checchio.
After the Mass of Welcome on November 18, 2025, the Diocese of Metuchen became a "Vacant See." The Very Reverend Jonathan S. Toborowsky will serve a administrator until such time that the Holy Father names a new Bishop for our Diocese.
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Diocesan Administrator
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Very Reverend Jonathan S. ToborowskyFulfilling the task given to them by Canon Law, the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Metuchen elected Very Rev. Jonathan S. Toborowsky to serve as Diocesan Administrator, until such time as Pope Leo XIV names a new Bishop of Metuchen. The Diocese of Metuchen’s College of Consultors met and voted on Thursday, November 20.
Father Toborowsky asks the faithful for their prayers as he assumes this new role, as we all continue praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in the Holy Father’s selection of our new Bishop.
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Changes during the Diocesan Sede Vacante
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Beginning at 3pm EST (2pm CST) on November 18 when the Mass of Welcome in New Orleans for Archbishop Checchio starts, the following changes must be observed in the Eucharistic Prayers (I-IV). Generally speaking one simply need to remove "N. our Bishop" after mentioning the Pope. Below are specific examples:
Eucharistic Prayer I (Roman Canon): …together with your servant Leo our Pope and all those who, holding….
Eucharistic Prayer II: …together with Leo our Pope and all the clergy…
Eucharistic Prayer III: ...your servant Leo our Pope, the Order of Bishops....
- Eucharistic Prayer IV: ...your servant Leo our Pope and the whole Order of Bishops...
For the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation I/II the following is said:Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation I: ...with Leo our Pope.
- Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation II: ...in communion with Leo our Pope and all the Bishops and your entire people.
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During this period of Sede Vacante, we request Parishes to include a petition for a new Bishop. We have provided a few examples:
For Leo, our Pope, that though the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he might send to us a holy Bishop to be our new High Priest in the Diocese of Metuchen. Let us pray to the Lord.
For Pope Leo, that he might be guided by Christ our Good Shepherd, so that we might receive a loving shepherd for our local Church. Let us pray to the Lord.
For Pope Leo, that he might be given wisdom so that we might quickly receive our new Bishop. Let us pray to the Lord.
You may also include a petition for the Diocesan Administrator and the College of Consultors; however it should be clear that they are not a replacement for a Bishop.
Further the number of petitions should not be inflated during this time to include all groups relevant to the Sede Vacante period.
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Since we will not know when we shall receive a new Bishop until our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV makes an announcement, preparations for the Chrism Mass will be made in the scenario that the period of Sede Vacante extends past Easter.
In the event that there is still no Bishop appointed by the time that we begin the normal preparation period during the Lenten Season for the Chrism Mass, an announcement will be made whether the Chrism Mass will be held or not since this liturgy can only be exclusively celebrated by a Bishop.
We kindly request that any questions regarding procuring newly consecrated Holy Oils or Clergy RSVPs to be on pause until an announcement has been made.
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Since we will not know when we shall receive a new Bishop until our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV makes an announcement, preparations should be made in the scenario that the period of Sede Vacante extends past Easter.
In the event that there is still no Bishop appointed by the time that we reach the Easter Triduum, the following adjustments are made in addition to those changes referenced in the Eucharistic Prayers:
• On Holy Thursday when celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, if Eucharistic Prayer I (Roman Canon) is chosen, a special formula (RM, pg 305) is to be used. The following adjustment to that formula should be observed: “…together with your servant Leo our Pope and all those who, holding to the truth…”
• On Good Friday, during the Celebration of the Passion of Our Lord, a series of Solemn Intercessions are prayed. Intercession III (RM, pg 319) should be changed to say: “Let us pray also for all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons of the Church and for the whole faithful people.”
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It is a tradition of the Church for every Parish to have portraits of the Holy Father and the Diocesan Bishop in prominent places, such as the narthex, parish offices, or sacristies.
At this time, these images of Archbishop Checchio should be taken down.
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We kindly request all to refrain from inquiring about rescheduling a liturgy with the Diocesan Administrator until one has been elected and an announcement has been made on how requests will proceed.
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An announcement shall be made at a later date regarding already scheduled Confirmations and how will they be held once a Diocesan Administrator has been elected. Currently all dates should be kept private and parishes that have joined together for confirmations should still assume that will continue going forward.
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What can Parishes and the Lay Faithful do during this period of Sede Vacante?
As we wait for the announcement from the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, on who will succeed Bishop Checchio to become our 6th Bishop, here is some things that Parishes, Families, Prayer Groups, & Individuals can do during this period of Sede Vacante:
- Say a Prayer
- The simplest thing that we can do is say a prayer to God with an intention in mind. It can be a verbal or a mental prayer. You could pray for the Diocese and all those who help to keep our Local Church going. Pray for the Holy Father and all who counsels him as they discern who should become our next Bishop. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for Bishop Checchio for all he has done for the good of our Local Church. Pray that our next Bishop will be filled with holiness and zeal for reigniting and spreading the faith. Pray for one another that we can stay the course during this time of waiting. We have prayers below that you can recite if you would like something prepared.
- The simplest thing that we can do is say a prayer to God with an intention in mind. It can be a verbal or a mental prayer. You could pray for the Diocese and all those who help to keep our Local Church going. Pray for the Holy Father and all who counsels him as they discern who should become our next Bishop. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for Bishop Checchio for all he has done for the good of our Local Church. Pray that our next Bishop will be filled with holiness and zeal for reigniting and spreading the faith. Pray for one another that we can stay the course during this time of waiting. We have prayers below that you can recite if you would like something prepared.
- Offer Days of Fasting
- Make a sacrifice for the Lord and for an intention (in this case, for our next Bishop). Fasting guides us to reflect on our own inner life and how we can reorient ourselves to holiness. Denying ourselves of attachments of this world helps us to seek to order our lives in all things to God. This is also a reminder to ourselves that this world is not our final stop and that we are pilgrims journeying together to our eternal home in Heaven. Let us pray that our next Bishop is filled with zeal for bringing souls to know and love Christ.
- Do Spiritual Practices
- Commit to practices that you can do on a regular basis with the intention that this Local Church of Metuchen receives a holy Bishop who can deepen the faith of the people he shepherds. Attend Mass, receive the Sacrament of Penance regularly, pray the Rosary, do Stations of the Cross, celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours, or commit to doing Daily Prayer (i.e., Morning Offering). Or you can read and meditate on the Scriptures or read writings of the Saints. Or you can perform Acts of Mercy. You can also commit yourself doing a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.
- Recite a Novena
- A novena is a nine-day period of private or public prayer to obtain special graces, to implore special favors, or make special petitions. At the conclusion of a novena, say a prayer of thanksgiving to thank God for receiving your petitions or you can continue to make consecutive novenas for a petition.
For Priests, we encourage you to do one of the following to encourage unity among the parishioners for the common intention of praying for a New Bishop:
During Ferial Days in Ordinary Time (using the Color of the Day), celebrate the Mass from Prayers for Various Needs & Occasions - I. For the Holy Church - 4. For the Election of a Pope or a Bishop (Roman Missal, pg. 1247)
Recite a Prayer for a New Bishop prior to the Final Blessing and Dismissal
Consider offering to do a Spiritual Practice together as a Parish Community
- Say a Prayer
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Prayer for a New Bishop
Lord Jesus Christ,
eternal High Priest and Good Shepherd,
we thank you for the many blessings
that you have poured on our Local Church of Metuchen.
We thank you for James, our 5th Bishop,
and for his many gifts in shepherding your people.Hear our prayer for the selection of a new Bishop
for your Local Church of Metuchen.
We pray for Leo, our Pope,
that he is given wisdom in discernment and given wise counsel
as he selects our next Bishop,
who would be ever more conformed to You,
the Divine Master.
Lord, we pray that our next Bishop
will have a heart on fire for you and for your Church.
May he be filled with wisdom, faithfulness, holiness,
and zeal for reigniting the faith
and spreading the Gospel throughout Central New Jersey.Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Your Mother and ours,
draw our new Bishop
and the flocks entrusted to his care
to the fullness of eternal life
where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.Amen.
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Contact Us
- General Inquiries
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Tiffany Workmantworkmandiometuchen.orgCommunications Specialist, Office of Communications and Public Relations - Liturgical Inquiries
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Rev. Timothy M. Eck, IIteckdiometuchen.orgDirector, Office of Divine Worship -
Nevin Mathewnmathewdiometuchen.orgCoordinator, Office of Divine Worship
