Archbishop of Atlanta
Gregory John Hartmayer, O.F.M. Conv., was born on November 21, 1951, in Buffalo, New York. After attending Saint Amelia School (1965) and Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda, New York (1965–1969), he entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He completed his novitiate at Saint Joseph Cupertino Friary in Ellicott City, Maryland (1969–1970), making his first profession on August 15, 1970, and his solemn profession on August 15, 1973. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Saint Hyacinth College and Seminary in Granby, Massachusetts (1974), and pursued ecclesiastical studies at Saint Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, New York (1979). Subsequently, he obtained a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Emmanuel College (1980) and a Master of Education in Secondary Catholic School Administration from Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts (1992). He was ordained a priest on May 5, 1979, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, New York. As a religious priest, he held the following positions: guidance counselor and teacher at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland (1979–1985); Guardian of Immaculate Heart of Mary Friary and Principal of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore (1985–1988); Guardian of Saint Lawrence Friary and Principal of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda, New York (1988–1989); Definitor of the Province of Saint Anthony of Padua (1988–1991); Guardian of Saint Francis of Assisi Friary and Principal of Saint Francis High School in Athol Springs, New York (1989–1994); and teacher at John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce, Florida (1995). In the Archdiocese of Atlanta, he served as Guardian of Saint Philip Benizi Friary and as Pastor of Saint Philip Benizi Parish in Jonesboro (1995–2010) and of Saint John Vianney Parish in Lithia Springs, Georgia (2010–2011); He served as Moderator (2005–2006) and as a member of both the College of Consultors (2005–2011) and the Presbyteral Council; he was also a member of the Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Priests and Director of the program for new priests (2008–2011). Appointed Bishop of Savannah on July 19, 2011, he received episcopal ordination on October 18 of that year. Within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, he served on the following committees: Administrative; Priorities and Plans (2016–2019); and National Collections, Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe (2012–2019). He currently serves as Chair of the Subcommittee on the Catholic Communication Campaign (2019).