Terry Ronald LaValley (born March 26, 1956) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He has been serving as the bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg in Northern New York since 2010. He is the first native of the Diocese of Ogdensburg to serve as its bishop since 1921.[1]
Biography
Early life and education
The second of six children,Terry LaValley was born on March 26, 1956, 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, New York.[2] LaValley graduated from Northeastern Clinton Central High School in Champlain, New York.[3]
In 1983, LaValley entered Wadhams Hall Seminary College in Ogdensburg, New York, earning a Certificate of Studies in Philosophy the following year. He continued his studies at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Christ the King in 1988.[3]
After his 1988 ordination, the diocese assigned him as a curate at Sacred Heart Parish in Massena, New York.[2] During his time at Sacred Heart, he also served as associate secretary of the diocesan marriage tribunal and a member of the presbyteral council. LaValley completed his graduate studies at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, Ontario, where he earned a Doctor of Canon Law degree in 1994.[3]
Upon his return to New York, LaValley was named administrator of both St. Peter's Parish in Hammond, New York and St. Patrick's Mission Parish in Rossie, New York, as well as adjutant judicial vicar for the diocese. In 1996, LaValley became episcopal vicar for diocesan services and chancellor of the diocese. In addition to these responsibilities, he was appointed pastor of St. Raphael Parish in Heuvelton, New York (1998) and administrator of St. James Parish in Gouverneur, New York (1999). He returned to St. Raphael's in 2000, and became rector of St. Mary's Cathedral Parish in 2003.[3]
In May 2018, LaValley expressed his opposition to the New York Child Victims Act, which created a one-year window for adults to sue for sexual abuse crimes. Before the law was finally passed, LaValley started a compensation program for sexual abuse victims within the diocese. In an interview, LaValley made this comment about the scandal: [7]
"The Church screwed up big time and people have been hurt immeasurably. How many times can I say I'm sorry for all that happened? What else can I do, I don't know."[7]
