Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Our local Church experienced a moment of great joy this spring with the Episcopal Ordination of three of our own priests. Our new auxiliary bishops, Most Reverend Keith J. Chylinski, Most Reverend Christopher R. Cooke, and Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla have spent the past few months celebrating Confirmation and taking time to be among God’s people while continuing to serve in their current assignments. They have also been attending monthly meetings with me in addition to weekly meetings with my Senior Staff; the College of Deans; the Priest Personnel Board; the Council of Priests; and the College of Consultors.
Not long after the Episcopal Ordinations took place, I promised to share more detailed information about the assignments our auxiliary bishops would embrace. Today, I am pleased to share that update with you. It consists of two components—pastoral and administrative.
Pastoral Responsibilities
The auxiliary bishops will each be entrusted with pastoral care of a particular geographic region of our local Church. They will shepherd these areas in my name and in close cooperation with me. They will also oversee the work of the Deans in their assigned regions. Each bishop will be a visible presence in the parishes of his region, especially in making parish visits, the celebration of Confirmation, and the installation of pastors, as well as presiding over the funeral rites of priests and deacons. As of July 1, 2024, the Archdiocese will consist of four Episcopal Regions as outlined below.
- Episcopal Region I (Delaware and Chester Counties): Most Reverend John J. McIntyre
- Episcopal Region II (Montgomery County): Most Reverend Keith J. Chylinski
- Episcopal Region III (Bucks County): Most Reverend Christopher R. Cooke
- Episcopal Region IV (City of Philadelphia): Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla
Together with Bishop Edward Deliman, Bishop Cooke will also take on pastoral responsibility for the Spanish-speaking Catholic community, which is spread over many parishes in all of the Episcopal Regions.
Administrative Responsibilities
Each auxiliary bishop is also entrusted to watch over and lead particular aspects of the life and ministry of the Archdiocese, working in my name and in close coordination with me. In this aspect of their episcopal ministry, they care for our local Church by fostering the work of clergy, religious, and laity as we seek to fulfill our shared mission. The areas of administrative oversight in which the auxiliary bishops will serve are:
- Oversight for the Ministry of Charity: Most Reverend John J. McIntyre
- Oversight for the Ministry of Evangelization: Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla
- Oversight for Ministry to Hispanic Catholics: Most Reverend Christopher R. Cooke in
conjunction with Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman - Oversight for the Ministry of Catholic Education: Most Reverend Keith J. Chylinski
Bishop Chylinski will continue to serve as Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary throughout the coming academic year. He will also retain oversight of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary and the Vocation Office to Diocesan Priesthood during that time.
Beginning in June 2025, a new Rector will lead the Seminary and Bishop Chylinski will assume oversight of the Office for Catholic Education, including elementary schools,
secondary schools, and schools of special education. In that role, he will also maintain relationships with Catholic colleges and universities in our local Church.
In the interim, until next June, I will continue to oversee those aspects of the Ministry of Catholic Education with the cooperation of Father Philip Bochanski, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.
The areas of ministry noted above represent a portion of the work undertaken by the offices in the archdiocesan administration, also known as the archdiocesan curia. A fuller picture of our administrative structure can be found in the enclosed organizational chart. The auxiliary bishops charged with oversight of a particular area of ministry will exercise leadership and authority over the secretaries and directors responsible for supporting those areas of ministry. In doing so, they will work closely with Father Philip Bochanski, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, on administrative matters especially those related to cooperation among different areas of ministry and communication
with the whole curia.
The Church of Philadelphia is a large, vibrant, and richly diverse family. My ministry as Archbishop would be impossible without the auxiliary bishops. Their apostolic presence and episcopal charism nourish the Church in a unique way. Please join me in gratitude for their service and in praying that they will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit each day as successors to the Apostles.
May God bless you abundantly!
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia