Diocesan Appointments

This just in from the Pastoral Center:

Father Michael Farano has been appointed as Vicar General of the
Diocese of Albany and Moderator of the Curia. Father Farano will be succeeding Father Leo O'Brien who is retiring as Vicar General after 29 years and 34 years as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Albany. The Vicar General is the second ranking official in the Diocese. As Moderator of the Curia, Father Farano will be the coordinator of administrative affairs. This position was established in the revised code of Canon Law in 1983 and Father Farano is the first priest in the Diocese of Albany assigned this responsibility. He will also continue his service as pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Loudonville. Father Farano had previously served as secretary to Bishop Broderick, Vice Chancellor and Chancellor. Recently he completed his term as chairman of the Albany International Airport.

Ms. Elizabeth Simcoe has been named Chancellor for Pastoral Services, replacing Sister Kathleen Turley, who has been elected to the leadership team of the Northeast Community of the Religious Sisters of Mercy. Ms. Simcoe is the first lay woman to be appointed Chancellor in the Diocese of Albany. She had been serving as the Director of the Diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship and has previous experience in both parish and campus ministry. In her new responsibility she will still retain staffing responsibilities for Prayer and Worship but the planning function will be transferred to another office.

Mr. John Manning has been appointed as Director of the Office of Pastoral Planning. Mr. Manning has been serving as an associate to Sister Kathleen Turley in the planning office and previously served the Diocese as a school principal, associate superintendent of schools, and the Director of the Office of Stewardship. Mr. Manning brings a wealth of pastoral and administrative experience to his expanded responsibilities.

Reverend Kenneth J. Doyle will continue in his position as Chancellor for Communications.