WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 31, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II appointed three New York priests, including a native of Spain, to be auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of New York while accepting the resignations of three other auxiliary bishops.
Appointed auxiliary bishops were Monsignor Robert Josu Iriondo, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Bronx and archdiocesan vicar for Hispanics; Monsignor Dominick J. Lagonegro, pastor, St. Columba Parish, Hopewell Junction; and Monsignor Timothy A. McDonnell, pastor of St. John and St. Mary Parish, Chappaqua.
The Holy Father accepted the resignations of Auxiliary Bishops Anthony F. Mestice, Francisco Garmendia and William J. McCormack.
Bishop Mestice has served as auxiliary bishop since 1973, Bishop Garmendia since 1977, and Bishop McCormack since 1986.
Robert Josu Iriondo was born on Dec. 19, 1938, in Legazti, Spain. He studied at the Gregorian University, Rome.
He was ordained Dec. 22, 1962, in San Sebastian, Spain, for the Canons Regular of the Lateran. He was incardinated into the Archdiocese of New York in 1996. He was appointed director of the Hispanic Catholic Center and Charismatic Renewal Movement in 1990. He was named vicar for Hispanics of the archdiocese in 1997.
Dominick J. Lagonegro was born in White Plains, New York, on March 6, 1943. He studied at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, New York, Cathedral College, Douglaston, and St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers. He was ordained a priest on May 31, 1969.
He was appointed vicar for the Vicariate of Dutchess County in 1997.
Timothy A. McDonnell was born in New York on Dec. 23, 1937. He studied at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, and Iona College, New Rochelle, where he earned a degree in pastoral counseling. He was ordained June 1, 1963.
Among his past duties, he was vice chancellor and chairman of the archdiocesan building commission, 1980, and chief operating officer of Catholic Charities and deputy president of Covenant House, 1990.
