The Catholic Standard and Times

Late pope named 14 local monsignors

As one of the last acts before his death, Pope John Paul II honored 14 priests from the Philadelphia Archdiocese by appointing them to one of three levels of monsignor.

Cardinal Justin Rigali will celebrate Mass at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 12 in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul during which the Papal Honors will be acknowledged.

Eight priests were named Prelates of Honor:
Rev. Richard J. Wright, in residence at St. Colman in Ardmore; Rev. Henry B. Degnan, pastor emeritus of St. Joseph’s Parish in Aston; Rev. Joseph P. McGeown, pastor of St. Clare Parish in Linfield; Rev. James J. Foley, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in West Chester; Rev. Hugh J. Shields, pastor of Visitation B.V.M. Parish; Rev. Robert J. Powell, pastor of St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish in Jamison; Rev. David H. Benz, pastor of St. Philomena Parish in Lansdowne; and Rev. Charles L. Sangermano, pastor of Holy Saviour Parish in Norristown.

Four Chaplains of His Holiness were named Prelates of Honor:
Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan, regional vicar for Philadelphia South and pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish; Rev. Msgr. James D. Beisel, regional vicar for Bucks County; Rev. Msgr. Timothy C. Senior, Secretary for Clergy; and Rev. Msgr. John J. McIntyre, Secretary to the Cardinal.

Two priests were named Chaplains of His Holiness:
Rev. Joseph G. Prior, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook; and Rev. Joseph A. Tracy, Secretary for Catholic Human Services.

Cardinal Rigali asks the faithful of Philadelphia to give thanks to the Lord for the honor bestowed upon the Archdiocese’s fraternity of priests.

“There are, moreover,” the Cardinal wrote in a letter to the presbyterate, “many other priests of the Archdiocese who are worthy of such an honor. To all of these I express my deep gratitude for their dedicated priestly life and ministry.”

Of the three classes on the diocesan level, Prothonotary Apostolic are the highest ranking, an honor usually conferred on outstanding members of the local clergy.
This is followed by Prelate of Honor and Chaplain of His Holiness.