Robert Coyle was born on September 23, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York to Robert and Kathryn Coyle. Robert Coyle attended Saint Edward the Confessor Elementary School, in Syosset, New York. In 1982, he completed high school at Saint Mary’s Boys High School in Manhasset, New York.[1]
Coyle then entered Fordham University in New York City, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1986. Coyle then enlisted in the US Navy, where he was commissioned an ensign on June 3, 1988. He left the Navy in 1991, butt remained in the US Naval Reserve. That same year, deciding to become a priest, Coyle entered Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York, receiving a Master of Divinity degree in 1991.[1]
Priest and US Navy chaplain
Coyle was ordained a priest at Saint Agnes Cathedral in Rockville on May 25, 1991, for the Diocese of Rockville Centre by John R. McGann.[2] After his 1991 ordination, the diocese assigned Coyle as associate pastor at Saint Dominic Church in Oyster Bay, New York. Five years later, in 1996, the diocese transferred him to serve as associate pastor at Saint Patrick’s Church in Glen Cove, New York.[1]
The Navy called Coyle to active duty in the US Navy Chaplain Corps in 1999. Over the next ten years, Coyle had the following postings in the Navy:
3rd Marine Division on Okinawa, Japan. He was promoted to lieutenant commander and deployed to Southeast Asia as a landing force chaplain (1999 to 2000).
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Was assistant command chaplain before assuming duties as command chaplain. Promoted to rank of commander in 2005 (2003 to 2007).
Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Deployed to the Middle East in 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2007 to 2009). The Vatican in 2008 elevated Coyle to the rank of chaplain to his holiness[1]
Coyle left active duty in the Navy in 2009 to become pastor at Corpus Christi Parish in Mineola, New York. He retired from the Navy Reserve in January 2013.[1]
On February 20, 2018, Coyle was appointed by Pope Francis as auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre; he was installed on April 2, 2018.[3][2] On May 6, 2018, Coyle became pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Holbrook, New York.
