Early life Gregory Hartmayer was born on November 21, 1951, in
Buffalo,
New York, one of four children of John and Sally Hartmayer. He has two brothers and a sister. He was raised in
Tonawanda, New York, attending St. Amelia School in that town. Hartmayer graduated from
Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda in 1969. He took his
simple vows on August 15, 1970, and made
solemn profession on August 15, 1973. Hartmayer studied at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary in
Granby,
Massachusetts, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in philosophy degree in 1974. The Franciscans then assigned Hartmayer to Archbishop Curley High School, where he served as a guidance counselor and teacher (1979 to 1985) and as principal (1985 to 1988). His episcopal consecration took place on October 18, 2011, at the
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia. His principal consecrator was Archbishop
Wilton Gregory, with Bishops
J. Kevin Boland and
Luis Zarama as co-consecrators. In November 2018, Hartmayer released a list of 16 clergy from the diocese with credible accusations of
sexual abuse of minors. While serving in Savannah, Hartmayer administered the renovations of two parish schools and the construction of three new churches, one new parish, and one new high school.Hartmayer was appointed to the board of directors of the
National Catholic Educational Association in 2019. He was appointed chair of the board in 2024.
Archbishop of Atlanta Hartmayer was installed as archbishop of Atlanta on May 6, 2020, in the
Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. The ceremony was held behind closed doors, with only a few attendees due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Church journalist
Rocco Palmo stated that Hartmayer was Gregory's "chosen successor." When the Satanic Temple of Atlanta scheduled a
black mass in that city in October 2024, Hartmayer announced possible legal action if the organizers planned to use
consecrated host in the ceremony. However, they assured the archdiocese that they did not have any sacramental bread, nor were they planning to obtain any. Hartmayer, in November 2024, announced the launch of a LGBTQ+ Pastoral Affairs Commission to create a dialogue with the
LGBTQ+ community. He remarked,I pray that through the creation of this commission we will all come to a better understanding of and respect for each other...After all, we are all children of God, brothers and sisters on this journey.Hartmayer is a member of the
US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Communications and the Committee on National Collections and chair of the Subcommittee on the Catholic Communication Campaign. == Viewpoints ==