Bishop Thomas has served as an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia since 2006; on August 26th Pope Francis appointed him the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. O.F.M. Cap. will lead Solemn Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in thanksgiving for the ministry of Bishop Daniel E. Thomas on the occasion of his appointment as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo. Bishop Thomas will preach.
5:30 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299
A reception open to all will be held immediately afterward.
Auditorium
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299
All are welcome to attend Solemn Evening Prayer, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the reception.
On Tuesday, August 26th, Bishop Thomas was named as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo (www.toledodiocese.org). Founded in 1910, the Diocese of Toledo is home to over 320,000 Catholics from19 counties in northwestern Ohio. He will be installed as the bishop of that diocese on Wednesday, October 22nd in Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo.
Biographical Information on Bishop Thomas:
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, 55, is one of two children born to the late Anna M. (Weber) Thomas and the late Francis P. Thomas, Jr., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Holy Family Parish Elementary School and Roman Catholic High School for Boys. Following graduation from high school, he enrolled at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood (Montgomery County). There he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees. He was ordained to the Priesthood by John Cardinal Krol in 1985 and served as parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Parish in Aston (Delaware County) 1985-1987. Then-Father Thomas studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome 1987-1989, earning an S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology. He served as an official in the Congregation for Bishops at the Vatican and as an Adjunct Spiritual Director at the North American College in Rome 1990-2005.
Saint Pope John Paul II named then-Father Thomas a Chaplain to His Holiness, which came with the title of Monsignor, in 1995 and a Prelate of Honor in 2005. He returned home to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to become Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford (Chester County) 2005-2006. In 2006, then-Monsignor Thomas was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Justin Rigali. Since that time he has assisted both Cardinal Rigali and Archbishop Chaput with the pastoral and administrative care of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Comments from Archbishop Chaput:
Upon learning of Bishop Thomas’ appointment in August, Archbishop Chaput said, “This appointment demonstrates the confidence our Holy Father has in Bishop Thomas’ pastoral and administrative skills. I have worked with him closely since my arrival in Philadelphia three years ago and have witnessed his wisdom, intelligence, personal warmth and keen affection for the people of God. The Diocese of Toledo has been given a true gift in Bishop Thomas. I know he will serve them joyfully as a faithful shepherd and spiritual father. I ask that all priests, deacons, religious and laity of the Archdiocese join me in extending congratulations and prayerful best wishes as he prepares to accept this assignment.”
Comments from Bishop Thomas:
In preparation for the farewell celebration, Bishop Thomas said, “It has been a blessing and a privilege to serve as a priest and auxiliary bishop here in my hometown of Philadelphia. I am so grateful to God for calling me to a priestly and episcopal vocation and to the priests, deacons, religious and lay people of this great Archdiocese. They have touched my life in so many ways and made my ministry rich and fulfilling. The Church of Philadelphia will never be far from my heart and the intentions of its people will always be in my prayers. I invoke God’s blessing upon you and commend you to the benevolent care of Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.
As I prepare now to shepherd the Lord’s flock in northwest Ohio, I ask you to pray with me that I may be a faithful, humble, holy, and ardent bishop for Toledo. With profound gratitude to Pope Francis, I trust in God’s Holy Will as I embark on this new ministry to teach, govern, and sanctify in the name of Jesus for the good of His Church.”
Additional Information on Bishop Thomas:
Bishop Thomas is a member of the Archdiocesan Council of Priests, the Archdiocesan College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Priest Personnel Board. He is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and Chairman of the Seminary’s Admissions Board for the Diocesan Priesthood.
In the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Thomas serves as a member of the following: The Ad Hoc Committee on Catechism; the Committee for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations; the Task Force Commission on Certification and Accreditation; and the Committee on Divine Worship.
Bishop Thomas also serves as a member of the Episcopal Advisory Boards for both the Catholic Leadership Institute and the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors and as a member of the National Advisory Council for the Saint John Vianney Center.
Editor’s Note: Television crews are asked to use the audio and video mult-box feed that will be provided in the Cathedral parking lot. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Please enter on 17th Street between Race and Vine Streets. Reporters and still photographers are welcome in the Cathedral. Television crews and still photographers are welcome at the reception.
Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747