DIOCESE OF ANTIGONISH
PRESS RELEASEBishop Makes Appointments to Diocesan Offices
Bishop Raymond Lahey of the Diocese of Antigonish today announced several appointments to offices within the Diocese. A number of these are confirmations of current appointments, and some are new appointments.
Bishop Lahey confirmed the appointment of Father Angus MacDougall, Pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Sydney, as Vicar-General of the Diocese. The Vicar-General has overall responsibility for the Diocese under the bishop and in his absence.
The Bishop also confirmed the appointment of Father Alexander MacNeil, Pastor of Holy Rosary, Westmount, as Vicar-General, with particular responsibility for matters of finance and administration.
He confirmed the appointment of Father John Barry, Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Tracadie, as Judicial Vicar. The Judicial Vicar has overall responsibility for canonical procedures within the Diocese.
Father Syd Mifflen was confirmed in his appointment as Chancellor of the Diocese, and was given added responsibility as Espicopal Vicar for sacramental matters. The Chancellor is responsible for the official acts of the Diocese and for the diocesan archives.
Father Robert MacNeil was confirmed in his appointment as Episcopal Vicar for ministry with the Mi=kmaq People. In this capacity he would have the responsibility for coordination of that ministry within the Diocese. The Bishop noted that the Mi=kmaq people within the Diocese of Antigonish number about 6,900.
The Bishop also announced that Father Paul Abbass, Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Frenchvale, would be assuming the office of Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Services. In this capacity he would have responsibility for the overall coordination of the various pastoral offices that serve the parishes and laity of the Diocese including catechetics, youth ministry, liturgy, social action, etc. The position of Director of Pastoral Services was previously associated with the Vicar-General for Finance and Administration.
Bishop Lahey also made the further announcement that Father Gerald Campbell, Pastor of St Joseph Parish, Reserve Mines and Holy Family, MacKay=s Corner would be appointed to the new position of Episcopal Vicar for Priestly Life and Ministry. In this capacity he would coordinate efforts for the formation, professional development and well-being of the priests of the Diocese.
The Bishop also announced new appointments to the Liturgy Office of the Diocese, which had been vacant until now. Father William Burke, Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Stellarton, would be Director of that Office, and Mrs. Pat Bray, its Assistant Director.
The Bishop noted that he had earlier announced the re-appointments of Father Bedford Doucette, Pastor of St. Margaret Parish, Grand Mira, as Director for the Lay Formation and Ministry Program offered by the Diocese, with Ms. Bernadette MacDonald as his Assistant. The Bishop also mentioned that Mrs. Helen Taylor had recently been appointed to staff the Diocesan Youth Office on an interim basis.
Bishop Lahey noted further that any new appointments above would take effect on June 30, and that all appointments would be understood to be for four year terms. He said that the priests mentioned above would hold these appointments in addition to any current pastoral duties.
The Vicar General, the Vicar-General for Finance and Administration, the Episcopal Vicars for the Mi=kmaq People, Pastoral Services, and Priestly Life and Ministry, and the Directors of Liturgy and the Lay Formation and Ministry Program, would all have offices in the Diocesan Pastoral Center on Prince Street in Sydney. The Chancellor has his office in the Chancery Office in Antigonish, and the Judicial Vicar in Tracadie. There are Marriage Tribunal offices in Sydney, and also in Antigonish. The Bishop himself has offices in both Antigonish and Sydney.
At the time of making these appointments, Bishop Lahey noted that a vacancy would shortly occur in the office of Diocesan Director of Catechetics, due to the recent election of Sister Sandra Cooke, CSM, to the General Council of the Sisters of St. Martha. He thanked Sister Sandra for her tremendous contribution to the life of the Diocese in that capacity, and noted the great respect in which she is held by all concerned in catechetical ministry. Bishop Lahey wished her well in her new appointment.