Bishop appoints clergy to newly-formed committees, tasks
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
From staff reports
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced July 27 the establishment of new diocesan bodies or areas of responsibilities, and appointed nearly two dozen priests and deacons to serve in the newly-created roles.
Appointed as censores librorum are Father Damian J. McElroy, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown; Father David Swantek, chaplain at Princeton University; Father Pablo T. Gadenz, assistant professor of biblical studies in Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology; Father Joel R. Wilson, parochial vicar, St. Rose Parish, Belmar; Father Michael J. Hall, parochial vicar, St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville; Father George Medina, parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, and Father John P. Czahur, pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly.
A censore librorum is an ecclesiastical authority charged with reviewing texts and granting the nihil obstat. The Latin censor librorum translates as “censor of books.”
These priests will assist Bishop O’Connell in reviewing the manuscripts and texts received from authors within the diocese for the possibility of approving or giving an official designation to the works prior to publication. Bishop O’Connell explained, “Their role is positive not negative, affirming that doctrinal integrity is present in the written work so that the bishop can give his approval for publication. If there are doctrinal concerns or problems, the censor informs the bishop so that he, in turn, can withhold the approval until appropriate revisions can be made. I chose these priests in our diocese because of their competence and interest in matters theological."
Bishop O’Connell also formed two new review committees – one tasked to look at diocesan policies and one that will look at the diocese’s permanent diaconate.
The Committee for the Review of Diocesan Policies will include Msgr. Leonard F. Troiano, chairman, and pastor of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette; Father Erin J. Brown, parochial vicar, St. Jerome Parish, West Long Branch; Father Daniel F. Gowen, pastor, St. Elizabeth Parish, Avon-by-the-Sea; Father Patrick McPartland, parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River; Father Eugene Vavrick, pastor, St. Anselm Parish, Wayside; Father Phillip C. Pfleger, pastor, St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, and Father Oscar B. Sumanga, pastor, St. William the Abbot Parish, Howell.
Some policies simply need revision and updating, others are no longer relevant and should be dropped.”The bishop also noted that other aspects of diocesan life require attention and translation into policy language. He will look to this committee for appropriate consultation and review prior to his promulgation of a new document.
The Committee for the Review of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Trenton will be chaired by Father Thomas J. Mullelly, the diocesan vicar of the Department of Personnel in Ministry, and will include Msgr. Kenard J. Tuzeneu, pastor, St. Mary Parish, Barnegat; Father Robert J. Schecker, pastor, Nativity Parish, Fair Haven; Father John P. Bambrick, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River; Father Kevin J. Keelen, St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville; Father Michael T. Manning, pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Rumson; Deacon Lawrence W. Finn, St. Mary Parish, Bordentown; Deacon Luis A. Ramos, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton; Deacon Michael P. Riley, St. George Parish, Titusville, and Deacon Stephen A. Sansevere, St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro.
Bishop O’Connell, in establishing this committee, explained, “The diocese has the second largest number of permanent deacons in the United States. Given the large number of deacons here and their uneven distribution among the parishes of the diocese as well as the varying ability or inability for deacons – who are ordained clergy, not members of the laity – to perform the ministries for which they were ordained, I have formed a committee, which includes both priests and permanent deacons, to conduct a comprehensive review of our permanent diaconate program.”
He continued, “The committee will review and study all aspects of the diaconate and make a report to me as diocesan bishop.”
Emphasizing that this measure should not be construed as a negative assessment, Bishop O’Connell pointed to a number of other dioceses that have halted their diaconate programs, or are currently reviewing them.
Bishop O’Connell stated, “Depending on the outcome of this study and report, I will consider making adaptations and changes to the practices and program we have in place. I have deferred accepting any new candidates for the diaconate until the study is completed.”
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From staff reports
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced July 27 the establishment of new diocesan bodies or areas of responsibilities, and appointed nearly two dozen priests and deacons to serve in the newly-created roles.
Appointed as censores librorum are Father Damian J. McElroy, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown; Father David Swantek, chaplain at Princeton University; Father Pablo T. Gadenz, assistant professor of biblical studies in Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology; Father Joel R. Wilson, parochial vicar, St. Rose Parish, Belmar; Father Michael J. Hall, parochial vicar, St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville; Father George Medina, parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, and Father John P. Czahur, pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly.
A censore librorum is an ecclesiastical authority charged with reviewing texts and granting the nihil obstat. The Latin censor librorum translates as “censor of books.”
These priests will assist Bishop O’Connell in reviewing the manuscripts and texts received from authors within the diocese for the possibility of approving or giving an official designation to the works prior to publication. Bishop O’Connell explained, “Their role is positive not negative, affirming that doctrinal integrity is present in the written work so that the bishop can give his approval for publication. If there are doctrinal concerns or problems, the censor informs the bishop so that he, in turn, can withhold the approval until appropriate revisions can be made. I chose these priests in our diocese because of their competence and interest in matters theological."
Bishop O’Connell also formed two new review committees – one tasked to look at diocesan policies and one that will look at the diocese’s permanent diaconate.
The Committee for the Review of Diocesan Policies will include Msgr. Leonard F. Troiano, chairman, and pastor of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette; Father Erin J. Brown, parochial vicar, St. Jerome Parish, West Long Branch; Father Daniel F. Gowen, pastor, St. Elizabeth Parish, Avon-by-the-Sea; Father Patrick McPartland, parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River; Father Eugene Vavrick, pastor, St. Anselm Parish, Wayside; Father Phillip C. Pfleger, pastor, St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, and Father Oscar B. Sumanga, pastor, St. William the Abbot Parish, Howell.
Some policies simply need revision and updating, others are no longer relevant and should be dropped.”The bishop also noted that other aspects of diocesan life require attention and translation into policy language. He will look to this committee for appropriate consultation and review prior to his promulgation of a new document.
The Committee for the Review of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Trenton will be chaired by Father Thomas J. Mullelly, the diocesan vicar of the Department of Personnel in Ministry, and will include Msgr. Kenard J. Tuzeneu, pastor, St. Mary Parish, Barnegat; Father Robert J. Schecker, pastor, Nativity Parish, Fair Haven; Father John P. Bambrick, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River; Father Kevin J. Keelen, St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville; Father Michael T. Manning, pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Rumson; Deacon Lawrence W. Finn, St. Mary Parish, Bordentown; Deacon Luis A. Ramos, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton; Deacon Michael P. Riley, St. George Parish, Titusville, and Deacon Stephen A. Sansevere, St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro.
Bishop O’Connell, in establishing this committee, explained, “The diocese has the second largest number of permanent deacons in the United States. Given the large number of deacons here and their uneven distribution among the parishes of the diocese as well as the varying ability or inability for deacons – who are ordained clergy, not members of the laity – to perform the ministries for which they were ordained, I have formed a committee, which includes both priests and permanent deacons, to conduct a comprehensive review of our permanent diaconate program.”
He continued, “The committee will review and study all aspects of the diaconate and make a report to me as diocesan bishop.”
Emphasizing that this measure should not be construed as a negative assessment, Bishop O’Connell pointed to a number of other dioceses that have halted their diaconate programs, or are currently reviewing them.
Bishop O’Connell stated, “Depending on the outcome of this study and report, I will consider making adaptations and changes to the practices and program we have in place. I have deferred accepting any new candidates for the diaconate until the study is completed.”
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