Chancellor named; will handle media

Father Doyle, who will continue as pastor of St. Catherine of Siena parish in Albany, doesn't mind taking on the extra part-time job.

"I'm fine with that, particularly because I will be able to stay and do parish work," he noted.

Press contact

"I think I'll be back and forth a lot" between St. Catherine's and the diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany, he said, adding that he's grateful for the computers and fax machines that will enable him to work from his parish office when necessary.

Father Doyle is also involved with the Diocese's communication efforts through The Evangelist and the Catholic Communications Office. He and Sister Kathleen Turley, RSM, chancellor for planning and pastoral services, meet weekly with Bishop Hubbard.

Splitting the work

The position was split after a task force on the priesthood recommended having a separate "administrative advocate" for priests. That opening was recently filled by Rev. Edward Deimeke (see story in the Dec. 2 issue).

Father Doyle's extensive background in media led to his appointment as chancellor. He was assistant editor and editor of The Evangelist between 1967-'81; spent three years as Rome bureau chief for Catholic News Service; served as public affairs officer and, later, director of media relations for the National Council of Catholic Bishops; and was director of government relations for the New York State Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state's bishops. He is also a civil attorney.

Many hats

His current board memberships include The Evangelist; the diocesan school board; St. Peter's Hospital in Albany; the alumni board of the Theological College at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; Vanderheyden Hall Boys' Home in Troy; Doane Stuart School in Albany; St. Gregory's School in Loudonville; the diocesan stipend committee; LaSalle School in Albany; and the core committee for the diocesan capital campaign.

While he hasn't yet decided which boards he will leave, Father Doyle said, "I'm going to have to reduce that by a fair amount."

He believes that his work as a board member has put him in touch with the people of the Capital District, which should help him in his new position.

News flow

He said he is "delighted" to stay on as a pastor while working with Bishop Hubbard, whom he termed "not only a friend of mine, but someone I have tremendous respect for.

"The Bishop's feeling is whenever priests can be in a parish setting, they're doing the most `priestly' things possible," he added, explaining that every priest "ultimately yearns to get into a parish setting. Other work is fun and exciting, but it's not why you started off to be a priest."

As for being the first new chancellor of the new millennium, Father Doyle said he hadn't thought much about it. "I'm in a totally receptive mood," he said, laughing.

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