Bishop Joseph Dabrowski C.S.M.A. Appointed 10th Bishop of Hamilton
You have likely heard the news: Pope Leo recently appointed Bishop Joseph Dabrowski as the 10th Bishop of Hamilton, succeeding Bishop Douglas Crosby, whose retirement is well-earned after 15 years of leadership in this Diocese. While Bishop Dabrowski became our Ordinary immediately upon appointment, we are currently in a transitional period, with Bishop Crosby acting as Apostolic Administrator until the Installation Mass for Bishop Dabrowski on the 2nd of February.
This time of transition is very important for the Diocese and for our new Bishop. We ask that you keep Bishop Dabrowski and our Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Crosby in your prayers as they each prepare to enter the next phase in their lives.
Who is Our New Bishop? A Biography of Joseph Dabrowski
The Most Reverend Joseph Dabrowski was born in 1964, the second of five children, and grew up in Wysoka Strzyżowska, a village in the south of Poland. After graduating from a high school run by the Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel, he chose to enter the Michaelite religious order. After completing one year of the Novitiate, he made his first profession in 1982 and graduated from the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselmo in Rome, obtaining his Master of Divinity in 1991. He was ordained to the priesthood on 4 May 1991 in Italy at the Pontifical Sanctuary of Santa Maria ad Rupes.
He came to Canada when he was assigned to join the Michaelite community in London, Ontario. In the Michaelite community, he served as Vice Superior, Advisor, Vice Provincial, and Superior of North American Vice Province. He also served as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Czestochowa in London from 1992 to 1993; St. Michael in Leamington from 1993 to 1996; St. Pius X (now Holy Family) in London from 1996 to 1997; and St. Mary’s Parish in London from 1997 to 1998. In 1998 he was named Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in London, where he served until he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of London.
His episcopal ordination took place on the 14 April 2015 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in London. As Auxiliary Bishop, he served in the Diocese of London from 2015 – 2023. During this time, he served as Vicar General, Vicar for Priests, Episcopal Liaison to St. Peter’s Seminary, Member of the Board of Directors of St. Peter’s Seminary, Episcopal Liaison with Religious Communities. On the 2 April 2023 Bishop Dabrowski was appointed by Pope Francis as the 14th Bishop of Charlottetown; he was then installed on the 29 June 2023.
As a member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Dabrowski was appointed as Catholic Co-Chair to the Roman Catholic/Evangelical Church Dialogue (Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity), a member of the Episcopal Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis, and as a member of the Standing Committee for National Family and Life. From 2023 to 2025, he was a member of the Atlantic Episcopal Assembly.
Bishop Dabrowski enjoys serving and speaking with the faithful of many cultures and celebrating the Catholic faith in many languages. He speaks English, Polish, Italian, Spanish, and has previously studied French, Russian, and Latin.
Installation Mass on February 2nd
Bishop Dabrowski’s installation Mass will take place on Monday, February 2nd, at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King.
Due to capacity limitations, it will be an invitation-only liturgical celebration. For those unable to attend in person, the Mass will be livestreamed, allowing the wider diocesan community to participate prayerfully from home. All are invited to join in spirit and in prayer as this important moment unfolds.
Let us welcome Bishop Joseph Dabrowski with faith, hope, and charity as we continue to grow together in Christ. Amen.