Robert J. Brennan was born on June 7, 1962, to Robert and Patricia Brennan in the Bronx, New York. He has two brothers and two sisters. His maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Ireland. Robert Brennan earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from St. John's University in Queens.[1]
Brennan was raised in Lindenhurst, New York. He went to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Lindenhurst and then attended St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, New York. After finishing high school, Brennan entered St. John’s University in Queens, New York, where he received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and computer science.[1]
Brennan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on May 27, 1989, by Bishop John R. McGann.[2] Brennan's first pastoral assignment was at St. Patrick Parish in Smithtown, New York.[1]
In 1994, McGann appointed Brennan as his priest-secretary. He continued in this role for Bishops James McHugh and William F. Murphy, while also providing pastoral service at St. Agnes Cathedral Parish. Brennan left this position in 2002 to become vicar general and moderator of the curia. In 2010, he was named pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Long Beach, New York.[1]
Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre
Coat of arms of Bishop Brennan as auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre
Brennan was appointed titular bishop of Erdonia and auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre on June 8, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI. He received his episcopal consecration at St. Agnes Cathedral on July 25, 2012, from Bishop Murphy, with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop Paul Henry Walsh acting as co-consecrators.[3][2]
Bishop of Columbus
Coat of arms of Bishop Brennan as bishop of Columbus
In December 2020, Brennan announced the "Real Presence Real Future" strategic planning initiative for the diocese. He described it as "increasing the presence of Christ throughout its 23 counties over the next three years and upholding the Faith for future generations."[8] The initiative involved grouping some parishes and closing others to deal with the shortage of priests in the diocese. Diocesan officials termed the initiative a hallmark of Brennan's tenure as bishop in Columbus.[9]
In December 2020, Brennan gave his support to the cause of racial justice after the shooting of Casey Goodson by police in Columbus on December 4, 2020.[10]
Bishop of Brooklyn
On September 29, 2021, Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn and named Brennan to succeed him.[11] Brennan was installed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan on November 30, 2021, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn.[12] Brennan's motto, "Thy Will Be Done," a passage from the Lord's Prayer, is engraved on the headstone of his grandfather, and was on a prayer card that he kept until his death.[13]
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