The Vincentians of the Eastern Province have announced the election of Fr. Joseph G. Fitzgerald, C.M., as their next Provincial. His term begins on June 1, 2026.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fr. Fitzgerald was ordained in 2005. He has had a vast missionary experience in Panama, where he also served as a Superior and, most recently, as the Regional Superior. In 2018, while working with the indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé people in the central highlands of the Western provinces of Panama, he earned a Doctorate in Theology (PhD and STD) from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín. He also holds two degrees from St. John’s University in New York City. In 2019, Fr. Fitzgerald helped to organize the first World Encounter for Indigenous Youth in the lead up to World Youth Day in Panama.
Fr. Fitzgerald is known for his kindness, his vision, and his dedication to the poorest of the poor.
As he prepares to assume this important responsibility, the Vincentians ask that you keep him in your prayers, asking God to grant him wisdom, strength, and abundant blessings in his new ministry of leadership, and they thank Fr. Stephen M. Grozio, CM, who has served as Provincial for the Eastern Province since 2017, and wish him well in the next phase of his ministry.