Bishop Joseph Dabrowski has been appointed the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton.

Pope Leo XIV announced the appointment Nov. 1. Dabrowski, who for the past two years has been Bishop of Charlottetown, will succeed Bishop Douglas Crosby, who has retired after leading the Hamilton diocese for the past 15 years.

“Thank you, dear Bishop, for saying ‘Yes’ to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the call of the Holy Father, Leo XIV, to lead the diocese into the future with faith and hope,” Crosby said in a statement. “Your appointment is the apex of our Jubilee Year of Hope celebrations. May God, who has begun this good work in you, bring it to fulfilment.”

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Dabrowski said he is “humbled and grateful” for the call by the Pope, but also “filled with a sense of surprise and wonder.” But he said he trusts in God’s plan, “who communicates His will through the signs and people He places along my life and faith journey.”

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“My prayer today is that the Lord will grant me the grace always to be a good, compassionate and humble servant,” said Dabrowski.

“I look forward to shepherding and serving the people of the Diocese of Hamilton, together with Auxiliary Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, with the clergy, consecrated men and women, deacons, lay faithful and very competent pastoral and administrative diocesan staff.”

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Born in Poland in 1964, Dabrowski made his first profession for the Michaelite religious order in 1982. He was ordained to the priesthood in Italy in 1991 and assigned to the Michaelite community in London, Ont., serving in various parishes in the southwestern Ontario diocese. He has also served in leadership roles in his religious community, including as superior of the North American province.

He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of London in 2015 and served until 2023 when Pope Francis appointed him to lead the Charlottetown diocese.