PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG\/WECP) – The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee is mourning the passing of its fourth bishop. Bishop John H. Ricard was 86 years old when he died Wednesday at St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n
Bishop Ricard was named to the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in 1997 by Pope St. John Paul II. A statement from the diocese says he faithfully served Northwest Florida, overseeing the Catholic mission and churches between Tallahassee and Pensacola, from 1997 until his retirement in 2011.<\/p>\n
After his retirement, Bishop Ricard returned to the Josephite community residing at St. Joseph Seminary in the nation\u2019s capital. He served as their religious superior following his election in 2019.<\/p>\n
Bishop Ricard will be laid to rest at St. Michael\u2019s Cemetery in Pensacola. Funeral arrangements are still pending.<\/p>\n
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