The Diocese of Rochester has announced the Presbyteral Council for 2021-22, as well as the College of Consultors and Diocesan Deans.
The Presbyteral Council is a priestly advisory group for Bishop Salvatore R. Matano. A required structure under church law, a diocesan presbyteral council meets regularly during the year and assists the bishop in the pastoral care of a diocese.
According to its constitution, the Presbyteral Council serves to: search for ways and means of promoting the pastoral welfare of the people of God entrusted to the bishop in collaboration with the members of the presbyterate; promote greater communication, cooperation and collaboration between the bishop, priests, and diocesan offices and agencies of the diocese; and foster the bond of fraternity among priests, and promote a consciousness of their unity with the bishop.
Items from past Presbyteral Council agendas include Catholic schools; improving use of technology in parishes and faith formation; vocations; the Catholic Ministries Appeal; the relegation of particular churches; and finance and human resource policies as they pertain to parishes.
Bishop Matano is president of the Presbyteral Council. The other 2021-22 council members are:
• Father John A. Firpo, Monroe Central Deanery
• Father Jeffrey R. Galens, Non-Incardinated Secular Priests
• Father Philip G. Judge, SJ, Religious Orders
• Father Thomas P. Mull, Central Deanery
• Father Jorge I. Ramirez, East Deanery
• Father Joseph R. Catanise, Monroe West Deanery
• Father Richard T. Farrell, South Deanery
• Father William F. Laird, West Deanery
• Father Matthew J. Walter, Monroe East Deanery
• Father R. Richard Brickler, Senior Priests
• Father William G. Coffas
• Father Paul Gitau
• Father William B. Leone
• Father Frank E. Lioi
• Father Peter B. Mottola
• Father Daniel E. White
Serving in ex officio roles are:
• Father Scott B. Caton, chair, convocation committee
• Father Daniel J. Condon, diocesan chancellor
• Father Paul J. Tomasso, diocesan vicar general and priest personnel director
A College of Consultors also is a required structure under church law, comprising of six to 12 priests chosen from among the diocesan presbyteral council. Consultors assist the bishop in the governance of the diocese.
The College of Consultors are:
• Father William G. Coffas
• Father Daniel J. Condon
• Father Paul Gitau
• Father William B. Leone
• Father Frank E. Lioi
• Father Peter B. Mottola
• Father Thomas P. Mull
• Father Paul J. Tomasso
• Father Daniel E. White
Under canon law, the parishes of a diocese may be assembled into special groups known as deaneries to effectively carry out the mission of the church and promote the pastoral care and spiritual welfare of God’s people by coordinating church ministries in particular areas of the diocese. A dean is a priest appointed by the bishop to oversee a deanery and act as a liaison between the deanery and the bishop.
The Diocesan Deans are:
• Central Deanery: Father Edison Tayag, V.F.
• East Deanery: Father Frank E. Lioi, V.F.
• South Deanery: Father Jeffrey R. Galens, V.F.
• West Deanery: Father James P. Jaeger, V.F.
• Monroe-East Deanery: Father James A. Schwartz, V.F.
• Monroe-Central Deanery: Father William G. Coffas, V.F.
• Monroe West-Deanery: Father Lee P. Chase, V.F.
Tags: Diocesan Appointments
