Bishop-elect LaValley, the second of six children of Ronald
(deceased) and Doris LaValley, is a native of Mooers Forks, NY and
was raised in St. Ann’s Parish. He was born on March 26, 1956
and completed his primary and secondary education at Mooers Central
in Mooers, NY and Northeastern Clinton Central School in Champlain,
NY. He received a B.A. from the University of the State of New
York and a Certificate of Studies in Philosophy from Wadhams Hall
Seminary-College. Prior to his entrance into Wadhams Hall
Seminary-College in January 1983, Bishop-elect LaValley served a
six-year tour of duty with the United States Navy. He
completed the Pre-Theology Program at Wadhams Hall in May 1984 and
received his Master of Divinity degree from Christ the King Seminary
in East Aurora in May 1988. The bishop-elect was ordained to
the Diaconate on February 27, 1988 and to the Priesthood on
September 24, 1988 by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana. Upon
ordination, he served as deacon and parochial vicar at the Church of
the Sacred Heart in Massena. During this time, he was named as
the Associate Secretary of the Marriage Tribunal and was elected to
serve on the Council of Priests. In 1992, the bishop-elect
began studies in Canon Law at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada where he was awarded his M.C.L. and J.C.L in May
1994.
Upon the completion of his graduate studies,
Bishop-elect LaValley was named as Administrator of St. Peter’s
Church in Hammond and St. Patrick’s Church in Rossie and was
appointed Adjutant Judicial Vicar. In 1996, Bishop Paul S.
Loverde named him Episcopal Vicar for Diocesan Services and
Chancellor of the Diocese of Ogdensburg with residence at Wadhams
Hall Seminary-College.
In January 1998, in addition to his diocesan
responsibilities, the bishop-elect was named Pastor of St. Raphael’s
Church in Heuvelton. In June 1999, he became Administrator of St.
James Church in Gouverneur while continuing to serve in his diocesan
positions. In June 2000, he returned to St. Raphael’s Church
in Heuvelton as Pastor and continued to serve as Episcopal Vicar and
Chancellor for Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. In July 2003,
Bishop-elect LaValley became Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral while
retaining his diocesan offices.
In August 2004, Bishop-elect LaValley was relieved of his duties
as Episcopal Vicar and Chancellor by Bishop Robert J.
Cunningham, and appointed the Bishop’s delegate to implement and
oversee compliance with the Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People. In this capacity, he continued to
serve as Chairperson of the Diocesan Review Board. On May 28,
2009, the College of Consultors elected Bishop-elect LaValley as
Diocesan Administrator, upon the installation of the Most
Reverend Robert J. Cunningham as Bishop of Syracuse. The
bishop-elect will continue as the Diocesan Administrator until
his Ordination and Installation as the 14th Bishop of Ogdensburg
at a date soon to be determined.
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