Office of Vicar for Priests

Mission
The Vicar for Priests is appointed by the Archbishop and represents him in working with the priests of the Archdiocese in regard to their parish assignments. It is the task of the Vicar for Priests to be aware of the needs of the priests and the parishes of the Archdiocese. The Vicar for Priests makes recommendations to the Archbishop for the assignment of Pastors, Administrators and Parochial Vicars as well as the assignment of priests to certain ministries within the Archdiocese such as Hospital Chaplains and Campus Ministers. He likewise oversees the process for the renewal of a priest's appointment for another term.

It is the responsibility of the Vicar for Priests to meet with the priests of the Archdiocese to discuss their assignments and pastoral effectiveness and to determine their readiness to move to new assignments and to areas of greater responsibility. The Vicar for Priests meets frequently with the Archbishop to discuss the needs and assignments of the priests and to receive direction from the Archbishop concerning personnel matters. The Vicar for Priests also works with the Minister for Priests and the Committee for the Study of the Restructuring of Parishes.

The Vicar for Priests is Monsignor Gerard G. Schmitz.

Personnel Advisory Board
The Vicar for Priests is assisted by a personnel advisory board appointed by the Archbishop to assist the Vicar for Priests in the task of making recommendations for priestly appointments. Members of the Personnel Board are: Monsignor Gerard G. Schmitz, Vicar for Priests, Rev. George M. Couturier, Assistant to the Vicar for Priests, Rev. Henry P. Cody, Rev. John S. Golas, Rev. Robert M. Kwiatkowski, Rev. Robert A. O'Grady, Rev. Stephen M. Sledesky, Rev. Robert F. Tucker.

To contact the Office of the Vicar for Priests:

Monsignor Gerard G. Schmitz
Office of the Vicar for Priests
467 Bloomfield Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Telephone: 860-242-2510
Fax: 860-242-3785

Email: vicar@stseminary.org