14 Gulf Pine Catholic • June 19, 2026 Collection June 27-28 Thank you for your generosity. A small portion of collection pays for this advertisement. Bishop Ricard rendered extraordinary service through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), serving on its Board of Directors from 1991 to 2002, including as Treasurer from 1992 to 1995 and later as President and Chairman from 1995 to 2002. Under his leadership, CRS expanded humanitarian outreach throughout regions suffering from war, famine, disease, and displacement. He traveled extensively to areas enduring severe hardship, including Somalia and Macedonia, witnessing firsthand the suffering of vulnerable populations. He became a leading Catholic advocate for peace and humanitarian intervention during the Darfur crisis in Sudan, personally traveling there several times to advocate for those suffering from violence and displacement. Bishop Ricard believed deeply that the Church’s humanitarian mission must affirm human dignity and empower communities to discover their own strengths and possibilities. Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Ricard served as Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace from 2002 to 2005 and later continued as a member and consultant over multiple terms. He also helped establish the USCCB Subcommittee on the Church inAfrica and supported the creation of the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa in 2006, strengthening pastoral partnerships and support for African dioceses and ministries. From 2019 to 2025, he served as a consultant to the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, continuing his lifelong work for racial healing and reconciliation within society and the Church. Following his retirement as the Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Bishop Ricard returned to St. Joseph’s Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he continued mentoring seminarians and clergy. He first served as rector and, in 2019, he was elected Superior General of the Josephites and was reelected in 2023, faithfully leading the community with wisdom, humility, and pastoral care until the end of his life. In this position, he ordained 25 men to the priesthood. Those who knew Bishop Ricard remember him as a gentle shepherd, thoughtful teacher, wise counselor, advocate for peace and justice, and faithful servant of Christ. “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” -- Matthew 25:23 May the angels lead him into paradise. May the martyrs receive him at his coming. And may he rest in the peace of Christ forever. Amen. Donations in honor of Bishop Ricard can be made to the Josephites at this link: www. giving.mypar i shsof t . io/ / app/giving/WeShare-2640?tab=home or by mail: The Josephites, P.O. Box 65010, Baltimore, Maryland 21209 Livestream links will be shared on social media soon. OBIT MOST REVEREND JOHN RICARD From page 8
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