9 priests honored by pope for service
Nine priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford have been named monsignors by Pope Francis.
The honor is given to a priest who is at least 65 years old and is distinguished for his service, according to a release from the archdiocese. It means the priest “has been made an honorary member of the Pope’s own household,” according to the release.
Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, who recommended the priests for the honorary title, said in a statement, “My intention on the occasion of our 175th anniversary is simply this: to recognize the service of all our priests by honoring a few representatives out of the many who so faithfully teach, sanctify and shepherd the people of God, especially in these challenging times for the church and for priests. The fact that this is a papal honor also underscores the close bonds of communion between our local church and the Holy Father in Rome. And when a parish priest is named a ‘ monsi- gnor’ it is an honor for his parishioners too.”
Eight of the nine priests are pastors. They are the Rev. Joseph DiSciacca, Divine Mercy Parish, Hamden; the Rev. John Georgia, Resurrection Parish, Wallingford; the Rev. Gene Gianelli, Assumption Parish, Woodbridge; the Rev. Thomas Barry, St. Patrick Parish, Farmington; the Rev. Joseph Don- nelly, Sacred Heart Parish, Southbury; the Rev. Frank Matera, St. Mary Parish, Simsbury; the Rev. Robert O’Grady, Mary, Gate of Heaven Parish, Windsor Locks; and the Rev. Gary Simeone, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Bristol. Also named was the Rev. James Kinnane, adjutant judicial vicar for the Metropolitan Marriage Tribunal, which he has served for more than 50 years.
A celebration of conferral of the honors will be held at 4 p. m. Feb. 24 at St. Thomas Chapel at the Pastoral Center in Bloomfield. Tickets are required due to limited seating.