Holy Spirit, Holy Family, Our Lady of Guadal at 2710 Hwy 43 N, Winfield, AL 35594 US - Bio of Bishop Robert J. Baker, 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham
| Bio of Bishop Robert J. Baker, 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham |
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Most Rev. Bishop Robert J. Baker was born in Willard, Ohio, on June 4, 1944. He attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and was ordained a priest on March 21, 1970, for the Diocese of St. Augustine. From 1970-72 he served as assistant pastor at St. Paul's Parish, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and also taught at Bishop Kenny High School. From 1972-75 he was assigned to study at the Gregorian University in Rome, where he received S.T.L. and S.T.D. degrees in dogmatic theology.
Bishop Baker had various assignments from 1975-99, including spiritual director of college seminarians at the Pontifical College Josephinum, pastor of the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine, and pastor of Christ the King Church, Jacksonville, Florida. While at St. Augustine's Church in Gainesville, Florida, he helped establish the St. Francis Soup Kitchen and St. Francis House of Shelter, which are in current operation. During his pastorate at the cathedral parish in St. Augustine, he helped establish an additional St. Francis House and the St. Vincent de Paul Farm for the homeless and addicted. He also directed the Catholic Student Parish at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and taught sacramental theology at St. Vincent de Paul Seminiary in Boynton Beach, Florida. From 1984-85 he served as president of the presbyteral council of the Diocese of Florida.
On September 29, 1999, Bishop Baker was ordained bishop and installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston. He has served on various boards and on several U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committees. In 2004 he completed his term as a member of the Episcopal Advisory Board of the Catholic Radio Association. He is currently chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on Stewardship.
Bishop Baker has published several books, including When Did We See You, Lord?, coauthored with Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., and The Questioner's Prayer, released in April 2007. He has also contributed articles to the Encyclopedia of Religion in the South, the preface to the book Prayers for Prisoners, and the introduction to the book Stations of the Cross for the Sick.