Our Leadership – Bishop Christopher Cooke
Bishop Christopher R. Cooke was born on November 8, 1973, to Randall Cooke and Mary Lou Cooke and grew up in Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Richboro, PA. Prior to entering the program of priestly formation at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Bishop Cooke earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 1996 and subsequently worked for four years in the chemical manufacturing industry. While studying at the seminary, he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2005 and a Master of Arts degree in 2006. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Justin Rigali on May 20, 2006.
Bishop Cooke provided pastoral ministry at several parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia before serving in various roles at the seminary since beginning in 2013. He also served on the Archdiocesan Council of Priests from 2011 to 2014.
He was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia on March 7, 2024.
Bishop Cooke is entrusted with pastoral care of Episcopal Region III of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which encompasses the parishes of Bucks County. Together with Bishop Edward Deliman, Bishop Cooke also assumes pastoral responsibility for the Spanish-speaking Catholic community, which is spread over many parishes in all of the Episcopal Regions.
Bishop Cooke also has administrative responsibilities for Ministry to Hispanic Catholics, in conjunction with Bishop Deliman. The bishops exercise leadership and authority over the secretaries and directors responsible for supporting those areas of the ministry.
As a member of the advisory board, Bishop Cooke is excited to leverage his experience in support of the inspiring Biking for Babies mission.
