Full biography

The Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia served parishes of all sizes for over 19 years before her election in March 2023 as the eighth bishop suffragan of Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of The Episcopal Church. She is a dynamic and innovative leader with extensive experience in church growth, pastoral care, and community engagement. She also has extensive experience collaborating and developing interfaith relationships and events to foster understanding and awareness.

Ritonia served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve for 17 years. She held a variety of leadership and executive-level positions throughout her military career. She was the assistant to the chief of staff, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, leading the support staff and liaison to the general staff, coordinating internal and external communications and congressional and dignitary visits. She was responsible for administration, training, and personnel support during mobilization of her reserve unit during Operation Desert Storm and was squadron executive officer during annual training deployments. During her last assignment, Ritonia was commanding officer of Marine Wing Reserve Engineer Support Unit, responsible for coordinating engineering and air base support.  
 
Ritonia is the recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal (2), the Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendations, and the Recruit Honor Graduate Award. Ritonia served as a member of the Chaplain Selection Committee for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries (AFFM) for seven years and provided spiritual direction, pastoral care, and other support to AFFM chaplains. She was a member of the annual training staff for AFFM, serving as a spiritual director, trained facilitator, and chaplain mentor. Ritonia has also served as a Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare Systems chaplain intern, VA volunteer chaplain, and Marine Corps League chaplain. She is an award recipient from the Howard County American Legion Chapter for community veteran support. 
 
She is a highly skilled liturgist and has served the wider church in positions of leadership, including as chair of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut Commission on Liturgy and Music, chair of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia Committee for South Africa Partnerships, and Episcopal Diocese of Washington Commission on Ministry. Ritonia is a Lilly Foundation Preaching Fellow, a graduate of the Lilly Foundation Thriving in Ministry Program, holds a Certificate in Conflict Transformation from The Lombard Peace Institute, and a Certificate in Disaster Chaplaincy. She is a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music (B.A.), Webster University (M.A.), Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. (M.Div.) and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. Bishop Ritonia’s spiritual practice is grounded in the Daily Office, the daily practice of the Ignatian Examen, monthly spiritual direction, and an annual spiritual retreat. 
 
A mother and grandmother, Bishop Ritonia lives in Maryland with her husband and their dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, making music, kayaking, and swimming.