New Organizational Chart

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

After eight months as Bishop of Brooklyn and in fulfillment of my administrative responsibility for the Diocese, I have come to a point of action, as I have mentioned several times, after I have had an opportunity to observe and judge. Through the issuance of organizational charts, I have attempted to give some form to the functioning of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

For the most part, these organizational charts reflect the current functioning of the Diocese, which in the future is open to change as we develop the strategic plan for the New Evangelization. It is my hope that sometime this fall a pastoral letter on the New Evangelization will be presented and will affect the strategic plan that will allow us to direct the functioning of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

In the interim and for some time in the future, the present organizational charts will give us some understanding of the working relationships between those who serve in the administration of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Certainly, the present system of priests as vicars general, episcopal vicars and functional vicars does not allow for the direct reporting of laypersons to the bishop. In our future reorganizations, however, perhaps this structure may be more reflective of a diocese that mirrors the vision of the Second Vatican Council. The new organizational plan will become effective June 28.

Diocesan Leadership

The best understanding of the functioning of the Diocese can be seen from the inverted pyramid structure. This type of matrix chart recognizes the centrality of the parishes that are the central focus of the administration of the Diocese. The principles of subsidiarity must always be in place in the Diocese, whereby no actions that can be performed at a lower level of responsibility should be taken to a higher level of competency. The parishes are where the rubber hits the road, where the lay faithful, priests, deacons and religious work together. All that we do as a Diocese must support the mission of the New Evangelization which is theirs.

Presently, the Diocese functions with four Territorial Episcopal Vicars who have a certain competency in specific sections of Brooklyn and Queens , where they assist the Bishop in the governance of the Diocese. They are responsible for the animation of the Church in these areas, especially in regard to the cluster groupings which have been formed. Their additional responsibilities center around the evaluation of parish functioning and personnel, as well as intervention in times of difficulty or when problems arise. This system has served the Diocese very well for over 30 years. The Territorial Episcopal Vicars have developed a comprehensive job description for themselves, so that all will know their responsibilities.

On the other side of the inverted triangle, we can see functional vicariates (for lack of a better term) that assist the life of the Diocese. It is important that these functional and support vicariates interact directly with the Episcopal Vicars. The functional vicariates and the Territorial Episcopal Vicars form the Vicars Council where all issues regarding parish life are discussed. It will be the responsibility of the Bishop with the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, as well as with the Vicar General for Temporalities, to coordinate the work of this council. The Auxiliary Bishops also, with their particular area of competency, are members of the Vicars Council.

Another way of viewing this triangle is to put it on its side and recognize the leadership responsibility of the Bishop within a "pointed pyramid." As part of my column this week, you will see this chart. The pyramid should never be seen as a power structure, but rather one of service and leadership. Therefore, the pyramid should never be seen with the Bishop at the top of the pyramid, but rather with the Bishop in the lead. These are important distinctions to keep in mind, as we see in other organizational charts (not shown), which are much more traditional by necessity in describing the various functions of the Diocese.

Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia

The Bishop has the key responsibility and leadership in the governance of the Diocese of Brooklyn. He shares this with the vicar general, however, in this case two vicars general. The vicar general exercises functions proper to the diocesan bishop for the entire Diocese. In the case of Monsignor Otto Garcia, the long-time Vicar General, he also exercises the responsibility of Moderator of the Curia and in a separate capacity as Secretary for Communications. The Moderator of the Curia, with the diocesan Bishop, is responsible for convening the Vicars Council and also assists in the day-to-day management of the Diocese. This excludes the issues of temporalities, which are overseen by Monsignor John Bracken, who will serve as Vicar General for this particular area of competency, as well as the issues of judicial concerns, which are overseen by Very Reverend Gregory Wielunski, Judicial Vicar for the Diocese.

It is critical also to see the placement of the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council as giving advice directly to the Bishop. The Pastoral Council, which gives advice to the Bishop on pastoral issues, is directed toward the Vicariate of Evangelization and Pastoral Life. The Diocesan Finance Council is directed, for the most part, toward the work of the Vicar General for Temporalities.

Vicar General for Temporalities

The Office of the Vicar General for Temporalities, under the direction of Monsignor Bracken, includes not only the temporal functional offices of the Diocese, but also oversight and communication to subsidiary corporations. This position has been elevated from Vicar for Temporalities to Vicar General for Temporalities, given the wide-range of responsibility and the need for executive decision-making in this area. As Vicar General for Temporalities, Monsignor Bracken has a particular sphere of responsibility which he will share with me as Bishop as delegated. The correct functioning of the Diocese demands a careful coordination of its temporal affairs. Monsignor Bracken will also be the principal liaison to the Diocesan Finance Council and the subsidiary entities, including the Real Estate Commission and the Buildings and Property Administration Office. I have also asked Monsignor Bracken to oversee the Office of Missions and Propagation of the Faith, in that fundraising is a very specific and major task of this office. Its collaboration with other apostolic endeavors will also be coordinated through Monsignor Bracken in the other appropriate vicariates.

Office of the Judicial Vicar

The Office of Judicial Vicar, fulfilled by Father Wielunski, canonically has always directly reported to the Bishop, since, indeed, the Bishop is the final judicial authority within the Diocese. The Judicial Vicar reports directly to the Bishop to emphasize the responsibility that has been entrusted to him.

Vicar for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Apostolic Organizations

The Diocese is fortunate to have the services of three auxiliary bishops. Bishop Ignatius Catanello has been appointed Vicar for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Apostolic Organizations. The most important resource of the Diocese is our human resources. The faithful who are clergy, consecrated religious and members of apostolic organizations need coordination within the life of the Diocese. Assisting Bishop Catanello in his responsibilities will be Monsignor Octavio Cisneros, Secretary for Priestly Formation. Monsignor Cisneros will oversee the formation program at the College Division at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston where he is rector, as well as at the Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Elmhurst , and will supervise the priest liaison at the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Huntington .

Bishop Catanello will also oversee the Office of Vocations. Reverend Kevin Sweeney has been appointed director of the office. Father Sweeney will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of this office, as well as regularly visiting the parishes throughout Brooklyn and Queens , preaching about vocations to the priesthood and religious life. As diocesan Bishop, however, I will take a special interest in supervisory responsibility for this office, given our present situation in regard to the lack of priestly vocations.

In addition, Bishop Catanello will supervise the Secretary for Clergy Personnel, Monsignor John Brown, as well as Monsignor Thomas Caserta, who directs the Ministry and Life of Priests Office, which includes both the spiritual and educational development of our priests.

Sister Maryann Seton Lopiccolo, S.C., Episcopal Delegate for Religious, will work with Bishop Catanello in coordinating the institutes of consecrated life in the Diocese. Reverend Raymond Roden will become a Special Assistant to the Vicar because of his experience as a clinical psychologist and availability to assist in personnel matters.

Vicar for Human Services

As Vicar for Human Services, Bishop Joseph Sullivan oversees several human services responsibilities sponsored and co-sponsored by the Diocese of Brooklyn. The largest of these is Catholic Charities, with its subsidiary corporations built as Progress of Peoples Corporation and the Progress of Peoples Management Corporation. Builders of Family and Youth is a sponsor of the government-funded operations, whereas the Progress of Peoples Corporation engages principally in housing and the management of the housing units.

Bishop Sullivan also is liaison and board member to St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers, a joint venture of the Sisters of Charity and the Diocese of Brooklyn. Fidelis Care is a managed health-care plan aimed at assisting low-income people in obtaining proper medical care. It is co-sponsored by all of the dioceses of the State of New York . Bishop Sullivan serves not only as the diocesan representative, but is also the chairman of the Board of Directors.

Vicar for Aging Concerns

Bishop Rene Valero serves as Vicar for Aging Concerns, which encompasses not only the Vicar for Senior Priests, Monsignor George Zatarga, whom he will supervise, as well the chairmanship of the retirement board, but also the many concerns of the aging population of the priests of Brooklyn and Queens. Bishop Valero will fulfill this responsibility in collaboration with Catholic Charities in its subsidiary corporations, most of whom have significant commitment to the aging population. His responsibilities will include coordination of both the pastoral and social services for those who are aging. In particular, one of his principal responsibilities will be the establishment of the assisted living section of the Bishop Mugavero Residence at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston.

Office of the Chancery

Among the day-to-day responsibilities of Monsignor Otto Garcia is the oversight of the Chancery Office, with direct reporting by Monsignor Andrew Vaccari, Chancellor, and Vice Chancellor Sister Jane Scanlon, as well as Vice Chancellor Reverend Steven Aguggia. The Diocesan Archivist, Joseph Coen, also reports to Monsignor Garcia.

The primary function of the Office of the Chancellor is to be of assistance to the Diocesan Bishop in the governance and pastoral administration of the Diocese, particularly on matters concerning canonical legislation. This assistance is offered to other diocesan agencies and parishes as well.

The complexity of the Office of the Chancellor takes in all of canon law except for that legislation which deals with ecclesiastical annulments, which is entrusted to the Diocesan Tribunal. The priest Chancellor and priest Vice-Chancellor, both with canonical degrees, act as delegates of the Diocesan Bishop in granting all permissions and dispensations in accord with present canonical legislation.

In the past few years, the Office of the Chancellor has responded to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy. The Chancellors Office has acted as liaison with the local District Attorneys, with the Diocesan Review Board and the diocese's Victims Assistance Coordinator. In the near future, a toll-free number, administered by an outside reporting source, will eliminate the routing of information to the Chancery Office. At the present time, Sister Ellen Patricia Finn, O.P., associate executive director of Catholic Charities, coordinates our Victims Assistance program in regard to complaints received through the Chancery Office. Sister Patricia Hudson, C.S.J., recently hired as the Child Protection Officer for the Diocese, will report to our diocesan Human Resources Office.

Office of the Bishop

As part of the Chancery Office, the Office of the Bishop is composed of four individuals. Joanne Weiss, Personal Secretary to the Bishop, has responsibilities which include the personal correspondence of the Bishop, as well as scheduling of the Bishop's calendar. Bernice D'Eramo is Coordinator of Office Operations and supervises the reception and response of all correspondence regarding diocesan affairs, as well as office management. Linda Dionisio, as Executive Secretary, provides many functions of assistance in the Bishop's Office. Deacon Jaime Varela serves as Master of Ceremonies and driver for the Bishop at the present time during the weekends. During the week, this function is provided by other priests and deacons of the Diocese.

Secretary for Communications

Monsignor Garcia's other responsibility is as Secretary for Communications. This responsibility is critical to the future New Evangelization within the Diocese. The responsibilities include supervision of the Office of Public Information and our Public Information officer Frank DeRosa, who is also the associate publisher of the diocesan newspaper, The Tablet, as well as the supervision of the editor of The Tablet, Ed Wilkinson.

Another major commitment is the Office of Pastoral Communication, the Trans Video Corporation and our diocesan cable television channel. Also under the supervision of Monsignor Garcia is the newly established Office of Legislative Affairs, which will be directed, on a part-time basis, by Reverend Kieran Harrington. It is my hope that this coordination of our communications facilities will allow us to be more effective in transmitting the message of the Gospel to the world.

Vicar for Evangelization and Pastoral Life

Monsignor Frank Caggiano will serve as Vicar for Evangelization and Pastoral Life. Monsignor's responsibilities will include the oversight of all of the offices that have influence on the evangelization efforts of the pastoral life of the Diocese. These include the Office of Liturgy, Diaconate Formation, Pastoral Institute, Office of Religious Education, Family Life Ministry and Respect Life, St. Paul Center , Spanish Cursillo Center , the Diocesan Library located at Douglaston, as well as the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. There is a need to coordinate the work of these offices and to direct them for the New Evangelization plan. Monsignor Caggiano will also serve as the primary contact with the Deacon Council, as well as the Diocesan Pastoral Council, whose input in regard to the pastoral life of the Diocese is critical to the optimum functioning of these offices.

Vicar for Education

As announced earlier, Monsignor Michael Hardiman will serve as Vicar for Education. The Vicar for Education will supervise the Superintendent of Catholic School Services, Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, as well as being the principal contact for the Education Commission of the Diocese. This commission serves in an advisory function to the Vicar for Education. Monsignor Hardiman will also oversee an independent corporation called the Department of Education, which provides for special education services and other government services provided by our Catholic schools.

Vicar for Planning and Collaboration

Monsignor Neil Mahoney, Vicar for Planning and Collaboration, will continue to oversee the development of the cluster groupings of parishes. The principal responsibilities of the clusters are pastoral planning and collaboration. Monsignor Mahoney's staff will be augmented by a professional planner and organizer who will assist in the development of the cluster system. Statistical planning and demographic information will be obtained by the services of Reverend Peter Mahoney, through an agreement with Catholic Charities, where his principal work is completed.

Vicar for Migrant and Ethnic Apostolates

The Vicar for Migrant and Ethnic Apostolates will be Monsignor Ronald Marino, present director of the Catholic Migration Office. Monsignor Marino will oversee the office, as well as the JFK Airport Chaplaincy and the Seaport Chaplaincy. Monsignor's coordinator function as vicar will include oversight of the Office of Hispanic Ministry, as well as the Office of Black Ministry. Coordination among these immigrant and ethnic apostolates is a critical need in the Diocese which calls itself so frequently the Diocese of Immigrants, as well as the Diocese of Ethnics. In all that we attempt with the New Evangelization and with the normal day-to-day function of the Diocese, these immigrant and ethnic concerns must be well represented on the Vicars Council and in all of our deliberations.

Conclusion

Charting the organization of the Diocese of Brooklyn has not been easy. I believe, however, that this first attempt captures the present moment and that in the future improvements can be made in the present system of organization. It is my hope that this will assist us in putting out into the deep, developing a strategic plan for the New Evangelization which will give life to the organization of the Diocese of Brooklyn and to furtherance of its mission.