Catholic archdiocese names new chancellor
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has hired attorney Justin Byrne as the archdiocese’s new chancellor. Byrne begins his new position on Sept. 11.
Loutitia Denison Eason, who filled the position for more than 13 years, retired in July.
As chancellor, Byrne will serve as a principal leader in the diocesan curia. He will serve as canonical adviser to the bishop and will be the top adviser on legal matters and interpretation of laws, rulings and regulations.
“I am delighted that Justin has accepted the offer to serve as chancellor for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. His deep personal faith, longtime involvement in the local Catholic community and his outstanding professional experience and sense of mission make him an excellent fit for this key position,” the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, archbishop of the Oklahoma City archdiocese, said in a news release.
Byrne, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, has practiced law in Oklahoma City since 2002 after earning a juris doctorate from the University of Texas in 2000. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and Spanish from the University of Tulsa in 1997.
After practicing law at a national firm in Dallas, Byrne returned to Oklahoma, working as an attorney at KerrMcGee Corp., Devon Energy Corp. and SandRidge Energy Inc. Most recently, Byrne served as associate general counsel at SandRidge, where he was responsible for a broad array of matters, and directed transactions valued at more than $19 billion.
“This is the perfect opportunity for me to merge my professional experience and skills with my personal faith in a very meaningful and fulfilling way,” Byrne said about his new position with the archdiocese.
Byrne and his wife, Rosa, both graduates of Sacred Heart Catholic School and Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School in Oklahoma City, are parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. Their two sons, Julian and Gabriel, attend Rosary Catholic School.