Appointment of priests rounds out diocesan changes

Other changes include the creation of the positions of administrative advocate and two part-time ministers to priests; the appointment of a chancellor for public information; and the naming of a chief financial officer.

After a process of nomination and discernment last month, seven priests were chosen as members of the Priestly Life and Ministry Council:

* Rev. James Belogi, pastor of St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland;

* Rev. Joseph Benintende, pastor of Annunciation Church in Ilion;

* Rev. Robert Hohenstein, pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Albany;

* Rev. Dominic Isopo, pastor of St. Luke's Church in Schenectady;

* Rev. Ronald Menty, pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Scotia;

* Rev. Brian Raiche, pastor of St. Henry's Church in Averill Park; and

* Rev. Erwin Schweigardt, pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet.

Work to do

Among the tasks awaiting council members during their first meeting March 10 are selecting a chairman, deciding how often to meet, and beginning to look at ways to restructure and revitalize the continuing education of clergy and the priests' retirement board, Father Deimeke said.

His roles as administrative advocate include ministering to priests on Bishop Howard J. Hubbard's behalf and representing priests' issues before the Bishop. He also serves as chairman for the Priests' Placement Board, the new name for the Priests' Personnel Board. Two new members have been appointed to this board: Rev. Leo Markert, pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Rotterdam, and Rev. Arthur Toole, pastor of St. Matthew's Church in Voorheesville.

Ministering to priests

The two also will continue working in their parishes. Father Gilchrist is a retired priest in residence at St. Casimir's Church in Albany, and Father Brucker is pastor of St. Paul's Church in Schenectady.

Changes

There had been concerns that priests weren't being heard and their needs weren't being addressed, despite various diocesan boards that were designed for such purposes. The task force submitted its final report to Bishop Hubbard in November.

Father Deimeke said the transition in becoming administrative advocate, working with the part-time ministers to priests and preparing to meet with the Priestly Life and Ministry Council has gone well.

"There's a lot of learning and listening going on, and it will continue to be that way for a while," he said.

Structure altered

Father Doyle began serving as chancellor in January; he is spokesman for the Albany Diocese and plans to issue press release for such events as Bishop Hubbard's televised retreat this Lent. He will continue serving as pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Albany.

Mr. Farrell, who became chief financial officer last month, oversees the finances of the Diocese. His career of more than 25 years with the Diocese includes a stint as assistant comptroller from 1974 to 1978, and as comptroller from 1978 until last month. He is a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie.

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