Bishop makes historic number of priest assignments

By MARY SOLBERG | FAITHLIFE
01/31/2018

Father Justin Pino has been appointed the new pastor
of St. Leo Parish in Ridgway in Elk County.
He is one of 36 clergy taking on new assignments
this month in the Diocese of Erie. Father Justin Pino feels renewed.

It’s been 10 years since his ordination as a priest of the Diocese of Erie, but his excitement today is palpable as he takes on a new assignment as pastor of St. Leo Parish in Ridgway. He is one of 36 clergy who have received new appointments as part of the final steps of parish restructuring in the 13-county diocese.

Priesthood is an itinerant life; it’s not about the priest, it’s about the people of God whom we’re called to serve,” Father Pino said. “I feel like I’m newly ordained again. There’s a freshness and new opportunities.”

In January, Bishop Lawrence Persico announced the assignments after an exhaustive two-year study of parishes and schools. Significant demographic changes and the declining number of priests contributed to the need for pastoral planning.

The new priest assignments take effect Feb. 13. In addition, the bishop has accepted the retirements of five more priests. [See list below.]

In some ways, this is a historic moment in the diocese. We all know that change is difficult, and it may be difficult for all these priests and the people they serve. I do have to say that I was very proud of our presbyterate because of their willingness to say ‘yes,’” Bishop Persico said.

About one-third of the active priests in the diocese are taking on new assignments. Appointments affect pastors, parochial vicars, chaplains and senior associates.

Forty-one percent of registered Catholic households will be affected by the clergy changes.

The Priest Personnel Board worked very hard on this. It was difficult,” Bishop Persico said. “I know it is hard on parishioners, too, because they get accustomed to their pastor or their parochial vicar and want them to stay.”

The bishop and the Priest Personnel Board—under the direction of Msgr. Robert Smith, vicar general—spent months determining the best possible configuration of clergy assignments.

Factors, including illness and retirements, impacted the plan.

As of this month, there will be 116 active priests in the diocese; 45 are now retired. The number of active priests may continue to decrease, so parish restructuring also is underway. Many parishes have merged together, and several other parishes are now partnered to address the growing concern of how to best serve the faithful.

Through the whole restructuring process, I have gravitated toward the last line of the Pastoral Planning Prayer, which is that we all need ‘the strength to be unafraid of what is new,’” Father Pino said.

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