The Rev. Douglas Lucia (Photo provided by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg)

OGDENSBURG — A longtime North Country priest has been appointed to serve as the bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse.

The Rev. Douglas Lucia, former pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Canton, now serves as director of vocations and seminarians for the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

Lucia will replace Bishop Robert Cunningham, who has resigned from the Diocese of Syracuse. The date of Lucia’s installation has not been finalized.

In a message sent to North Country parishes, Ogdensburg Bishop Terry LaValley congratulated Lucia.

“You know that his ministry in a variety of positions in our Diocese has equipped him well to lead the Church of Syracuse,” LaValley said.

“Certainly, with his departure, he will be greatly missed as his tireless ministry to the North Country will soon come to an end,” LaValley added. “His friendship and pastoral leadership have touched deeply so many during his thirty years of priestly ministry among us.”