Terry R. LaValley

Terry Ronald LaValley (born March 26, 1956) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Bishop of Ogdensburg.

Early life and education

The second of six children, LaValley was born in Plattsburgh, New York, to Ronald and Doris LaValley. He was raised in St. Ann's Parish and received his early education at Mooers Central School in Mooers. He graduated from Northeastern Clinton Central High School in Champlain. He attended the State University of New York at Albany for two years before enlisting in the United States Navy, where he served from 1977 to 1983. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Albany in 1980.

In 1983, LaValley entered Wadhams Hall Seminary College in Ogdensburg, earning a Certificate of Studies in Philosophy the following year. He continued his studies at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Christ the King in 1988. He was ordained to the diaconate on February 27, 1988.

Ordination and ministry

LaValley was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana on September 24, 1988. His first assignment was as a curate at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Massena. During his time at Sacred Heart, he also served as associate secretary of the diocesan marriage tribunal and a member of the Presbyteral Council. He completed his graduate studies at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where he earned a Doctor of Canon Law degree in 1994.

Upon his return to New York, LaValley was named administrator of both St. Peter's Church in Hammond and St. Patrick's Mission Church in Rossie, as well as adjutant judicial vicar. In 1996, he became episcopal vicar for diocesan services and chancellor of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. In addition to these responsibilities, he was appointed pastor of St. Raphael Church in Heuvelton (1998) and administrator of St. James Church in Gouverneur (1999). He returned to St. Raphael's in 2000, and became rector of St. Mary's Cathedral in 2003.

In 2004, he was relieved of his duties as episcopal vicar and chancellor, and named the Bishop Robert J. Cunningham's delegate to implement and oversee compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. On May 28, 2009, he was elected the apostolic administrator of the diocese by the College of Consultors, following installation of Bishop Cunningham as Bishop of Syracuse.

Bishop of Ogdensburg, New York

On February 23, 2010, LaValley was appointed the fourteenth Bishop of Ogdensburg by Pope Benedict XVI. His episcopal consecration and installation took place at St. Mary's Cathedral on April 30, 2010.

As bishop, LaValley serves as the spiritual leader of the 150,000 Catholics in New York's North Country. He is the first native of the Ogdensburg Diocese to serve as its bishop since the appointment of Joseph H. Conroy in 1921.