Most Reverend John H. Ricard, SSJ

Superior General of The Josephites Priests & Brothers

Bishop Emeritus of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola - Tallahassee

With faith in the resurrection and deep gratitude for a life devoted to God and His Church, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and the Society of St. Joseph’s of the Sacred Heart mourn the passing of Most Reverend John H. Ricard, SSJ, who entered eternal life on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Washington, D.C., at the age of 86.

A devoted shepherd, missionary, educator, humanitarian, advocate for justice, and faithful servant of the Gospel, Bishop Ricard dedicated his life to proclaiming Christ and serving the people of God, especially within Black Catholic communities and among those suffering throughout the world.

Bishop Ricard was born on February 29, 1940, in Rougon, LA, one of eight children born to Maceo and Albanie Ricard. Raised in the segregated South, his early experiences profoundly shaped his lifelong commitment to racial justice, human dignity, and the mission of the Church.

He often humorously remarked that he was younger than his actual age because he celebrated an official birthday only once every four years. Even in later years, his joyful spirit, warmth, and approachable nature remained hallmarks of his personality.

Following his graduation from high school, Bishop Ricard entered St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart in 1958. Drawn to the Josephites because of their dedicated ministry among Black Catholics, he later reflected that he saw in them unselfish men who served the Black community and who shared the hopes, struggles, and aspirations of Black Catholics. He professed final vows in 1967 and completed his theological formation at Saint Joseph Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Bishop Ricard was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1968, by Bishop Robert Emmet Tracy of Baton Rouge. Following ordination, he pursued advanced academic studies, earning a master’s degree from Tulane University in 1970 and later a doctorate from The Catholic University of America in 1984.

He ministered at Saint Peter Claver in New Orleans and later pastored in Washington, D.C., at Holy Redeemer, Holy Comforter, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

In 1984, Pope Saint John Paul II appointed Father Ricard Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, making him the first Black bishop in the history of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Choosing the episcopal motto “God is Gracious” Bishop Ricard became known as a compassionate pastor, gifted preacher, and prophetic voice for justice and reconciliation.

As Urban Vicar in Baltimore, he worked closely with city parishes and communities, advocating for racial justice, Catholic education, economic equity, and regional solidarity. He actively participated in anti-apartheid advocacy efforts and later served as an electoral observer during South Africa’s historic 1994 democratic elections following the fall of apartheid.

In January 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II appointed Bishop Ricard as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He was installed on March 13, 1997, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

During nearly fourteen years as bishop, he strengthened Catholic education, promoted vocations, expanded diocesan ministries, and oversaw significant growth throughout the diocese’s eighteen counties. Under his leadership, John Paul II Catholic High School opened in Tallahassee in 2001, and the Monsignor James Amos Pastoral Center was completed in 2003.

He ordained 19 men to the priesthood in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, supported numerous classes of permanent deacons, and blessed or dedicated dozens of parish buildings and renovations throughout Northwest Florida.

Bishop Ricard became one of the most respected Black Catholic leaders of his generation and of the Black Catholic Movement. He was instrumental in relaunching the National Black Catholic Congress in 1987 and served as its president until 2019. Through the Congress, he championed evangelization, leadership formation, cultural affirmation, youth engagement, and the spiritual heritage of Black Catholics throughout the United States.

Throughout his life, Bishop Ricard remained an unwavering advocate for racial justice and reconciliation. Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he helped lead workshops and civil rights discussions for seminarians and parishioners. Even in later years, he continued to call the Church toward courageous engagement with issues of racism, violence, inequality, and voting rights.

Bishop Ricard rendered extraordinary service through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), serving on its Board of Directors from 1991 to 2002, including as Treasurer from 1992 to 1995 and later as President and Chairman from 1995 to 2002. Under his leadership, CRS expanded humanitarian outreach throughout regions suffering from war, famine, disease, and displacement. He traveled extensively to areas enduring severe hardship, including Somalia and Macedonia, witnessing firsthand the suffering of vulnerable populations. He became a leading Catholic advocate for peace and humanitarian intervention during the Darfur crisis in Sudan, personally traveling there several times to advocate for those suffering from violence and displacement.

Bishop Ricard believed deeply that the Church’s humanitarian mission must affirm human dignity and empower communities to discover their own strengths and possibilities.

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Ricard served as Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace from 2002 to 2005 and later continued as a member and consultant over multiple terms. He also helped establish the USCCB Subcommittee on the Church in Africa and supported the creation of the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa in 2006, strengthening pastoral partnerships and support for African dioceses and ministries. From 2019 to 2025, he served as a consultant to the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, continuing his lifelong work for racial healing and reconciliation within society and the Church.

Following his retirement as the Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Bishop Ricard returned to Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he continued mentoring seminarians and clergy. He first served as rector and, in 2019, he was elected Superior General of the Josephites and was reelected in 2023, faithfully leading the community with wisdom, humility, and pastoral care until the end of his life. In this position, he ordained 25 men to the priesthood.

A Vespers Prayer Service will be held 5:00pm Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Pensacola, FL. A visitation will be held from 10:00am until a Funeral Mass begins at 11:00am Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Bishop Ricard will be laid to rest in a private committal at Historic St. Michael's Cemetery. 

Those who knew Bishop Ricard remember him as a gentle shepherd, thoughtful teacher, wise counselor, advocate for peace and justice, and faithful servant of Christ.

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

-Matthew 25:23

May the angels lead him into paradise.

May the martyrs receive him at his coming.

And may he rest in the peace of Christ forever.

Amen.

Donations in honor of Bishop Ricard can be made to the Josephites at Josephites or by mail: The Josephites, P.O. Box 65010, Baltimore, MD 21209.