Pope Francis Commissions Ten New Missionaries of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Eleven Archdiocesan Priests serve as Missionaries of Mercy for the Church of Philadelphia

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Pope Francis has appointed 10 new Missionaries of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In total, the Holy Father has commissioned 11 missionaries for our local Church as a visible expression of the mercy of God, which is at the heart of the priesthood and all of Catholic life.

Reverend Monsignor George A. Majoros, Pastor of the partnering parishes of Sacred Heart Church in Clifton Heights and Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Drexel Hill, both located in Delaware County, was the first Missionary of Mercy for the Archdiocese. He was commissioned by Pope Francis in 2016 and will continue to serve as a Missionary.

The ten new Missionaries of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are:

  • Reverend Kenneth C. Brabazon, Pastor of Saint Isidore Church in Quakertown (Bucks County);
  • Reverend Matthew D. Brody, Pastor of Saint Richard of Chichester Church in Philadelphia (South Philadelphia);
  • Reverend Monsignor Francis J. Depman, Pastor of Saint Rocco Church in Avondale (Chester County);
  • Reverend Peter J. DiMaria, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Bridgeport (Montgomery County);
  • Reverend Monsignor Paul V. Dougherty, Pastor of Saint Margaret of Antioch Church in Narberth (Montgomery County) and Chaplain of the Deaf Apostolate;
  • Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. Duncan, Pastor of Saint Patrick Church in Malvern (Chester County);
  • Reverend Douglas M. McKay, Rector of the Malvern Retreat House in Malvern (Chester County) and Chaplain of Our House  Ministries in Philadelphia (Grays Ferry);
  • Reverend Augustus C. Puleo, Faculty Member and Director of the English Language Program and Spanish Program (ESL) at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood (Overbrook);
  • Reverend Christopher B. Rogers, Pastor of Saint Patrick Church in Kennett Square (Chester County); and
  • Reverend Charles Zlock, Pastor of Saint Raymond of Penafort in Philadelphia (Cedarbrook).

These Missionaries of Mercy are available, upon invitation, to help facilitate pastoral initiatives that focus on conversion and divine mercy, with a particular attention given to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They have also been given the authority of the Holy Father to absolve in his name certain sins that are ordinarily only forgiven by the Pope. These specific types of sins are commonly known as sins “reserved to the Holy See.”

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will officially commission the Missionaries of Mercy with their mandate from the Holy See at Vespers on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. 

Contextual Background

In December 2015, Pope Francis called for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2015, to direct our attention and actions “on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives.”

In addition, Pope Francis commissioned Missionaries of Mercy, a select international group of over 1,000 priests to serve in (Arch)Dioceses around the world. Locally, Pope Francis commissioned one Archdiocesan priest, Reverend Monsignor George A. Majoros, as a Missionary of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy concluded on November 20, 2016. The Holy Father extended the mandate of the Missionaries of Mercy until further notice as a sign that the graces of the Jubilee of Mercy continue.

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Editor’s Note: To learn more about the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Missionaries of Mercy, please visit https://archphila.org/mercy/.

 

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Contact:
Alaina N. Longo
Deputy Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)