November 13, 2009
Contact: Joe Aponick
657-4804 x210
www.hbgdiocese.org
Two Diocesan Priests Honored with Title of Monsignor |
Father William King and Father James Lyons have been named Chaplains of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor, the Diocese of Harrisburg announced on Nov. 13. The honor is bestowed by the Holy Father for priests who have served in an exemplary way.
Solemn Vespers to mark the occasion will be held at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
"I offer my congratulations and prayerful best wishes to Father James Lyons and Father William King on receiving the papal honor of Chaplain to His Holiness," Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades said. "This recognition of their exemplary priestly ministry is an honor for our diocese. I thank them for their devoted service to the faithful of our diocese and for their generous assistance to me in the past five years. In this special Year for Priests, I thank all the priests of our diocese for their dedication and faithful service."
Monsignor William J. King is the Diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia and currently resides at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanicsburg.
He was ordained April 9, 1983, by Bishop William Keeler, and previously served as Diocesan Judicial Vicar and Secretary for Canonical Services. He has also served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Lancaster and pastor of St. Lawrence Parish in Harrisburg. From 2006 to 2008, he served as Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Atlanta to help reorganize its Metropolitan Tribunal. He received a Licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
"I am very grateful to both Bishop Rhoades and the Holy Father for this honor, and look to their fine examples as I continue in the ministry of service in the Diocese of Harrisburg," Monsignor King remarked.
Monsignor James M. Lyons is the pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Steelton. He was ordained May 14, 1988, by Bishop William Keeler.
Monsignor Lyons previously served as Diocesan Vicar General, as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Lancaster and St. Theresa Parish in New Cumberland, and as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg. He was elected Diocesan Administrator following the death of Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo in 2004. He is currently a member of the College of Consultors.
"My initial response when Bishop Rhoades told me that I was to be named Monsignor was surprise," Monsignor Lyons remarked. "I am very grateful to Bishop Rhoades for thinking highly enough of me to submit by name to Rome for this honor."
+ + +
No comments:
Post a Comment