Thursday, 4:30 PM
Boston Archdiocese names two new auxiliary bishops
(David L Ryan/Globe Staff Photo)
Pope Benedict XVl named two new Auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of Boston. Pastor Robert F. Hennessey (left) of Most Holey Redeemer Parish in East Boston and Pastor John A. Dooher (right) of St. Mary's Parish in Dedham will be ordained as auxiliary bishops on Dec. 12.
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
The Archdiocese of Boston announced today that the pastors of two local parishes have been elevated by the pope and will serve as auxiliary bishops.
Reverend Robert Hennessey from Most Holy Redeemer church in East Boston will be the new auxiliary bishop for the central region of the Archdiocese. Reverend John A. Dooher from St. Mary Parish in Dedham will be assigned to the central region.
"Fr. Dooher and Fr. Hennessey are uniquely gifted, truly dedicated to the Church of Boston and have exemplified great leadership in their ministries, for the good of the Archdiocese and the greater glory of God," O'Malley said in a written statement.
The announcement comes as Pope Benedict XVI told O'Malley that he had accepted a retirement request from Bishop John Boles, who has served as an auxiliary for the Boston's central region and will become Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese.
Dooher and Hennessey will be ordained as auxiliary bishops on Dec. 12, 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. They will remain as pastors of their current parishes until replacements can be appointed.
Hennessey, 54, has been pastor of Most Holy Redeemer since 1994. The South Boston native was first ordained in May 1978 and has served as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph in Hanson; St. Peter in Plymouth; St. Joseph in Needham; and at Our Lady of the Airways Chapel at Logan Airport.
"I am deeply humbled," Hennessey said in a written statement.
Dooher, 63, was born in Dorchester and ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in May 1969. He has been Pastor of St. Mary Parish since 1996 and has also spent time at St. Francis Xavier Cabrini in South Weymouth and St. Augustine Parish in South Boston.
"I wish to thank the Holy Father and Cardinal Seán," said Dooher. "... I will strive to serve with a generous heart."
