Bishop-elect Deliman currently serves as pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensalem

Early today, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has named Reverend Monsignor Edward M. Deliman as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Later, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. introduced Bishop-elect Deliman during a news conference at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center.

The role of an auxiliary bishop is to assist the diocesan bishop by sharing in his pastoral and administrative work and to act in his name. Like all bishops, auxiliaries are successors to the Apostles. Bishop-elect Deliman’s specific duties will be defined in the coming weeks and months. For the present, he will remain as pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensalem (Bucks County).

Archbishop Chaput will ordain Bishop-elect Deliman to the episcopacy on August 18, 2016 in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, the mother church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Archbishop Chaput said, “Pope Francis’ appointment of Bishop-elect Deliman continues a long tradition of priests from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia being recognized for their ability to serve as bishops. It also demonstrates the Holy Father’s confidence in Bishop-elect Deliman, who has served our Archdiocese and its people with faithful dedication for many years. The new Bishop-elect is a humble man who loves the Priesthood and is tirelessly devoted to his ministry. He is greatly loved by the people he’s served over the years. As more of the faithful in our local Church come to know him, I’m sure they will admire him with keen affection as well.

As Bishop-elect Deliman prepares to begin his episcopal ministry, I offer my heartfelt congratulations. I ask that the people of our Archdiocese join me in praying that the Holy Spirit will strengthen him as a successor to the Apostles. We are all blessed to receive such a gift from the Holy Father in the person of Bishop-elect Deliman.”

Bishop-elect Deliman, age 69, was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1973. In addition to service at the parish level as a parochial vicar and pastor, he has worked on behalf of various Archdiocesan offices and ministries. He currently serves on the board of Catholic Social Services and previously served on the boards of Nutritional Development Services and the Inter-parochial Cooperation Commission. Bishop-elect Deliman is bi-lingual and has been heavily involved in ministry to the Hispanic Catholic community for several years.

In reaction to today’s news, Bishop-elect Deliman said, “I’ve been a priest for 43 years. I’ve loved and cherished every moment of it. To say that I’m humbled doesn’t adequately express my feelings about this announcement, but I am.

I’m grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for calling me to serve as an Auxiliary Bishop in our Archdiocese and I joyfully accept this moment as one of Grace in my life and in the life of the local Church.

In particular, I want to express my thanks to Archbishop Chaput for his confidence, his support, and his guidance. This news was a complete and unexpected surprise to me and it’s certainly been a lot to absorb. I look forward to working with him in the weeks and months ahead as I figure out what all of this means and learn more about what I’ll be doing.

I’ve been blessed to have brother priests, deacons, women and men religious, seminarians, and parishioners from the Latino and Anglo communities who have been a presence throughout my priestly ministry.  They have all touched my life in tremendously positive ways. I’m thankful for that and this moment is one I share with all of them.”

Biographical Information on Bishop-elect Edward M. Deliman:

Bishop-elect Edward M. Deliman was born in Lorain, Ohio, on March 4, 1947 to Edward Deliman (deceased) and Margaret Rackish Deliman. He has two brothers, Michael and Francis. Both are married and have four children between them.

Bishop-elect Deliman’s family moved to Morrisville (Bucks County) in the early 1950s and became members of Holy Trinity Parish. He attended Holy Trinity Parish Elementary School, which was staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He then attended Bishop Egan High School in Levittown for two years before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. At the Seminary he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity Degrees. Upon completion of his studies and the program of formation, he was ordained to the Priesthood by John Cardinal Krol in 1973. After ordination, he studied Spanish in Douglastown, New York, and later served as an assistant priest at a parish in the Archdiocese of San Juan to further hone his foreign language skills. In 1991, he was named an Honorary Prelate of his Holiness with the title of Monsignor by Saint Pope John Paul II.

During his forty-three years as a priest, Bishop-elect Deliman has demonstrated broad pastoral and administrative experience among diverse populations. He has served as a parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Parish, Cheltenham (Montgomery County); Saint Clement Parish, Philadelphia; Saint John Bosco Parish, Hatboro (Montgomery County); Saint Agnes Parish, West Chester (Chester County); and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.

He has served as a pastor at Saint Bonaventure Parish, Philadelphia; Visitation B.V.M. Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Agnes Parish, West Chester (Chester County); Saint Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Bensalem (Bucks County); and Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Bensalem (Bucks County), his current assignment.

In addition to his parish-based ministry, he previously assisted the Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal as an adjunct auditor. He also served as a Priest Vocation Coordinator and Spiritual Director for seminarians.

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Editor’s Note: A photograph of Bishop-elect Deliman is attached. For more information about the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.archphila.org