Pope Francis named Father Peter Smith, 56, vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese.
The appointment was publicized in Washington today by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Peter Smith was born February 8, 1958, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and came to the United States in 1986. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg and a law degree from the University of Natal Law School. He earned a master of divinity degree from Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon, a bachelor in sacred theology from San Anselmo University in Rome, and a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America. He was ordained for the Portland Archdiocese in 2001.
Bishop-elect Smith has been archdiocesan liaison for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Western Oregon, and is a member of the Brotherhood of the People of Praise Community. The Brotherhood is a small community of the People of Praise composed of men committed to the celibate life. The People of Praise originated out of the Charismatic Renewal which was centered at the University of Notre Dame for many years. It has a membership of about 12 men, four of them now priests. It is a private association of the faithful whose priest members are incardinated in the Portland Archdiocese.
