Monsignor John J. Darcy, a native of Fall River, was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts.  He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1973 and pursued seminary studies at St. John’s Seminary in Boston from 1973-78.  In addition, he received a master’s degree in biblical studies from Providence College combined with studies at the world famous Ecole Biblique, Jerusalem in 1994, and then earned a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1977 from at St. Paul Pontifical University in Ottawa, Canada.  

Bishop Louis E. Gelineau ordained Father Darcy to the priesthood on August 3, 1979 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, West Warwick.  He has served as assistant pastor of several parishes including; Our Lady of Good Counsel, West Warwick; St. Catherine, Warwick; St. Mary, Newport; St. Brendan, Riverside and Our Lady of Mercy, East Greenwich.  He also served in several capacities at the Chancery including; the diocesan Tribunal as a judge and Adjutant Judicial Vicar; as Chancellor and Vicar General as well as on several diocesan committees. Father Darcy was appointed “Prelate of Honor of His Holiness” with the title of Monsignor in 2004 by Pope John Paul II.  Msgr. Darcy had previously served as pastor of St. Sebastian parish in Providence from 2010 until his appointment at St. Margaret parish.

The Most Rev. Robert C. Evans, Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, installed Monsignor Darcy as pastor of St. Margaret Parish, Rumford on August 1, 2015. Msgr. Darcy retired as pastor on July 1.  

He is on a new journey to the Diocese of Lugano, Switzerland providing pastoral ministry in the English language for the local Church.