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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As you know, it has been almost five months since my installation as the seventh bishop of Spokane. Before finally settling on the administrative staff for our diocese, I have been careful to use this significant amount of time to listen to others and to observe the needs, challenges, and opportunities for growth in our local Church. This discernment process is complete and I want to share with you my appointments.
All of the responsibilities previously concentrated into the one position of Moderator of the Curia have been divided between three newly appointed vicars and thus the position of Moderator has been eliminated. I am in conversation with Fr. Mike Savelesky regarding his desire for the future and I am grateful that he will continue to assist the diocese with any remaining issues of our bankruptcy. I also want to thank Father Savelesky for the contributions he has made serving as Moderator of the Curia over the past few years and for his service as Diocesan Administrator during the transition period.
Effective immediately, I have appointed Father Pat Kerst as Vicar for Priests while retaining his responsibilities as pastor of St. Mary Parish. The Vicar for Priests has ordinary vicarious power and assists the bishop in the executive governance of those matters directly pertaining to priests (CIC 476). The Vicar for Priests serves as an ex officio member of the Presbyteral Council, Priest Personnel Board, Review Board, Priest Retirement and Aid Association, and the Diocesan Review Board. He takes a special interest in the needs and welfare of senior priests. The Vicar for Priests offers guidance to the Director of Continuing Education of Priests regarding priest retreats as well as ongoing education and formation opportunities for priests.
Effective immediately, I have appointed Father Brian Mee as Vicar for Finance while retaining his responsibilities as pastor of St. Peter Parish. The Vicar for Finance has ordinary vicarious power and assists the bishop in the executive governance of those matters directly pertaining to the temporal goods of the diocese (CIC 476). He serves as an ex officio member of the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Ministries Fund Foundation, and the Diocesan Finance Council on which he also serves as chairperson. The Vicar for Finance provides supervision and guidance to the Office of Fiscal Services and the Office of Development.
Ordinarily, and after having heard from the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Finance Council, the Vicar for Finance is appointed by the bishop to serve as the Diocesan Finance Officer (CIC 494).
Finally, effective February 1, 2016 I am appointing Father Darrin Connall as Vicar General while retaining his responsibilities as rector of Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral. Father Connall has a February appointment date to give him the necessary time to fully regain his health. The Vicar General has ordinary vicarious power and assists the bishop in the executive governance of the entire diocese (CIC 475). The Vicar General serves as an ex officio member of the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Building Commission, Catholic Cemeteries Board, and the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center Board. The Vicar General serves as chairperson for Chancery department head meetings.
With the appointment of these new episcopal vicars who serve on the administrative staff for our diocese, we are now prepared to work together as we move ahead into the future. I ask for your prayers as well as for the prayers of Our Lady of Lourdes, patroness of our diocese, for the wisdom and guidance which we need to do the Lord’s will.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Thomas A. Daly
Bishop of Spokane