Philadelphia Gets New Auxiliary

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, JUNE 8, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI appointed Monsignor Timothy Senior as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Bishop-designate Senior, 49, has been a priest since 1985 and is currently serving as the archdiocesan vicar for clergy.

After hearing of his appointment, he stated in a press conference: "I love being a priest! As a priest, I have encountered the abiding and irresistible love of God drawing me ever more deeply into relationship with him.

"In my life as a priest, I have been given opportunities to grow and to serve that I could not have imagined or planned for myself.  

"The life of a priest is challenging and fulfilling in countless and surprising ways. I am confident that my future ministry as a bishop will be the same."

The bishop-elect concluded with a prayer for the "ever -deepening desire" to do God's will and to "give my life completely in the service of his Church."

Philadelphia's archbishop, Cardinal Justin Rigali, noted the bishop-designate's "notable administrative gifts" and "tireless work ethic," as well as his "priestly heart, his wise counsel, his keen intelligence and his prayerful serenity."

The cardinal continued: "[He] has collaborated with me during my five years as archbishop of Philadelphia and I have seen first-hand his devotion not only for his brother priests, but to the faithful of the entire archdiocese. He is an exemplary priest with a great love for the Church."  

The episcopal ordination will take place July 31.

The archdiocese has some 1,460,758 Catholics served by 1,008 priests, 220 permanent deacons and 3,433 religious.