April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT

Diocesan changes


Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has accepted the retirement of Rev. Michael Farano from the positions of vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Albany Diocese, and has appointed Rev. David Berberian to be the Diocese's new vicar general.

A vicar general is the second ranking official in the Diocese, representing the Bishop in any matters assigned to him. A moderator of the curia - a position established in 1983 under canon (Church) law - similarly represents the Bishop in overall coordination of the work of the diocesan departments; for now, Bishop Scharfenberger will take on that role himself.

Father Berberian also serves as vicar for clergy, a new title for the position previously known as administrative advocate for priests. He has served in that position since 2012. The title "vicar for clergy" is used in canon (Church) law; each diocese has a vicar for clergy, responsible for matters pertaining to local men in religious life.

Father Farano had been appointed vicar general and moderator of the curia in 2006 by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard. At the time, he was also pastor of St. Pius X parish in Loudonville, from which he has since retired. Father Farano will continue in his other role as diocesan director of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, promoting the Catholic Church's work in mission countries. He has headed that office since 1997; each week, he writes about the mission Church in an advertisement in The Evangelist (see page 14).

Father Farano noted that the transition comes as the Albany Diocese moves toward implementing changes resulting from a recent organizational study of the diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany, aimed at improving its efficiency and effectiveness (read a previous story at www.evangelist.org). Most of the specific changes have not yet been announced by Bishop Scharfenberger, but plans are in the works to boost vocations, evangelization, stewardship, outreach, communications and technology.[[In-content Ad]]

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