History was made on July 7, 2026, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Father Robert P. Boxie III, the former Catholic chaplain at Howard University, was consecrated as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington. At just 45 years old, Bishop Boxie is now America’s youngest active Catholic bishop — and the youngest in the Western Hemisphere.
This milestone goes far beyond age. Bishop Boxie is the first member of the Divine Nine (the historic Black Greek-letter organizations) to ascend to the Catholic episcopate. A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he was initiated into the Kappa Theta Chapter at Vanderbilt University in 2000. His elevation represents a powerful bridge between HBCU campus life, Black Greek traditions, and the Catholic Church.
A Remarkable Journey
Born on September 12, 1980, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Robert P. Boxie III grew up deeply rooted in the faith community at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, a historically Black parish. He graduated from St. Louis Catholic High School in 1998 before heading to Vanderbilt University, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering with a second major in music.
After teaching English in France for a year, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2007. He built an impressive legal career as a federal law clerk for the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland, and as an associate at the corporate firm Vinson & Elkins LLP in Washington, D.C. Yet something greater called him. In 2010, he left law behind and entered the seminary.
Boxie studied at the Pontifical North American College and the Gregorian University in Rome, earning a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (STL) in 2017. He was ordained a priest in 2016 and began serving as Catholic chaplain at Howard University in 2020 — a role he held for six transformative years.
Impact at Howard University (“The Mecca”)
During his tenure at Howard, Bishop Boxie guided the Catholic ministry through the challenges of the pandemic, expanded student programming, organized civil rights pilgrimages, and championed the 2023 opening of the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center — the first dedicated space for Catholic students at the historic HBCU in decades.
In his message to the Howard community after his appointment, he shared: “You made your chaplain a bishop.” That sentiment captures the pride and inspiration rippling through HBCU networks and Black Catholic communities nationwide.
A New Chapter in Leadership
Appointed by Pope Leo XIV (the first American pope) on May 1, 2026, Bishop Boxie succeeds Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr. and becomes the first new African American Catholic bishop in nearly a decade. In his new role as vicar for cultural communities and synodality, he will focus on cultural diversity, youth and young adult ministry, ecumenical relations, interfaith dialogue, and the revitalization of Black Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington.
His consecration was led by Cardinal Robert McElroy, with co-consecrators Cardinal Wilton Gregory and Bishop Mark Brennan. The ceremony drew leaders, students, parishioners, and supporters from across the country — a powerful testament to the hope and representation his appointment brings.
Why This Matters
In an era when many young people question whether the Church truly sees them, Bishop Boxie stands as living proof that faith, intellect, service, and cultural identity can converge at the highest levels of leadership. A former engineer, lawyer, chaplain, and Divine Nine member — now a bishop — his story shatters stereotypes and opens doors.
As he told the congregation: “If you’ve ever thought about a priest as your religious vocation, this is your sign… If you have ever felt discouragement from the church… let this be a moment of hope.”
Congratulations, Bishop Robert P. Boxie III. The Church — and the nation — is watching your next chapter with great anticipation. Your journey reminds us that extraordinary leadership often emerges from unexpected paths, and that the future of the Catholic Church is brighter, more diverse, and more vibrant because of leaders like you.
Welcome to the episcopate, Bishop. The “Mecca” and the broader Black community are proud.
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