Bishop of Syracuse becomes parish priest for three churches amid priest shortage

On 1 August, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, 62, of Syracuse took up the pastorate of three churches in Baldwinsville, New York — St Augustine’s, St Elizabeth Ann Seton’s, and St Mary of the Assumption. The appointment was announced in a diocesan letter dated 9 August.

“Well, today, I am able to share the news that I will be your new pastor,” the bishop wrote to parishioners. “Although I was called to be the Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse six years ago, it has always been with the hope of continuing to be a parish priest and I guess God has taken me at my word.”