Pope Leo XIV announced a replacement for the troubled New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond on Wednesday, two weeks after the archdiocese consented to a proposed $230 million settlement for survivors of clergy sexual misconduct.

In a historic move, the first American pope appointed Bishop James Checchio from Metuchen, New Jersey, as the coadjutor bishop of New Orleans. This role positions Checchio to automatically step into Aymond’s role upon his retirement.

Checchio, aged 59, managed the repercussions in Metuchen following the explosive 2018 revelations of sexual misconduct involving one of his predecessors there, then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. Before taking his post in Metuchen in 2016, Checchio had served as the rector of the U.S. seminary in Rome for ten years.

The New Orleans archdiocese agreed on September 8 to the $230 million settlement proposal to end one of the most prolonged and fiery abuse disputes the U.S. church has faced. Initially, in May, it proposed to pay a minimum of $179.2 million for over 500 abuse claims, but victims’ lawyers deemed this offer insufficient.

Survivors have until late October to decide whether to accept the revised settlement. If two-thirds approve it, the payments could start being distributed as early as next year.

Aymond turned 75, the age for mandatory retirement, last November, indicating that the Vatican retained him to see the abuse settlement through and ensure a smooth transition for his successor.

The archdiocese had filed for bankruptcy in May 2020, rather than handle each abuse claim separately, which survivors say allowed church leadership to avoid facing tough questions in court.

In a statement posted on the website of the archdiocese, Aymond welcomed Checchio as his successor “with great hope for the future.” Aymond said he planned to continue as archbishop until the bankruptcy is concluded “and other matters of pastoral care” are accomplished.

Checchio, for his part, expressed gratitude for his nine years in Metuchen and said he looked forward to serving the people of New Orleans.

“I am certainly grateful to our Lord and to his vicar, Pope Leo XIV, for sending me to be a part of such a beautiful community,” said Checchio, a native of Camden, New Jersey, who has a degree in canon law and an MBA.

Aymond had resisted calls for his resignation over the church’s failures, which triggered a sweeping FBI probe and a cascading crisis for the Catholic Church. An AP investigation earlier this year revealed that the archdiocese had sought help from New Orleans Saints executives to help behind the scenes with damage control.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.