Checchio has emphasized the importance of community engagement and child safety, implementing measures like ReportBishopAbuse.org and supporting Pope Francis's 'Vos Estis Lux Mundi' accountability initiatives.

The appointment was announced during a press briefing at Notre Dame seminary, with Archbishop Aymond making the official statement, signaling a planned leadership transition amidst the crisis.

Aymond faced criticism for his handling of abuse cases, including resisting calls to resign and allegedly seeking damage control assistance from New Orleans Saints executives during the scandal.

The scandal involves delayed disclosures of abusive clergy, including the case of priest Lawrence Hecker, who raped a teenage boy decades ago and died in prison, with ongoing investigations into clergy cover-ups and trafficking.

The church's crisis management efforts are ongoing, with investigations into clergy misconduct and allegations of cover-ups, including a search warrant issued in May 2024 as part of law enforcement inquiries.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans, serving over 505,000 Catholics across 104 parishes, faces ongoing financial challenges, including parish closures and property sales, amid demographic shifts and declining attendance.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen as the new coadjutor bishop of New Orleans, set to succeed Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond amid ongoing sexual abuse settlement issues.

Checchio, 59, has a strong background in canon law, business, and theology, with degrees from the University of Scranton, LaSalle University, and the University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, and has served on various church committees, including the USCCB.

He has previously held leadership roles such as Rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome and Bishop of Metuchen, where he focused on parish visits and child protection measures, including establishing anonymous abuse reporting services.

The appointment follows revelations of mishandling abuse cases within the church, including delayed responses and efforts to manage damage behind the scenes, which have drawn criticism from survivors and legal advocates.

Archbishop Aymond's tenure has been scrutinized for delayed acknowledgment of abuse allegations and resistance to resignation amid a broader crisis involving FBI investigations and allegations of child sex trafficking within the archdiocese.

The archdiocese's abuse issues have led to bankruptcy proceedings, with a proposed settlement initially at least $179.2 million, though victims' attorneys contested the amount as too low, and insurers like Travelers hesitated to settle.

Checchio has expressed willingness to investigate Aymond's record but has indicated he has no specific knowledge of misconduct, raising questions about accountability in the transition.