Statement from Bishop Burbidge on Three Priests Granted Distinction of ‘Monsignor’ by Pope Francis

For Immediate Release

March 8, 2018

On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, three priests from the Catholic Diocese of Arlington were named by Pope Francis as a “Chaplain to His Holiness” with the title “Monsignor” after recommendations were made to the Holy See by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington.

The new Monsignors are: 

• Rev. Msgr. Stanley J. Krempa, Pastor of St. Bridget of Ireland Church in Berryville
• Rev. Msgr. John C. Cregan, retired, Pastor Emeritus, Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria
• Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Avella, Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arlington

In a statement, Bishop Burbidge said, “In unity with Bishop Loverde, my brother priests, as well as all of the deacons, consecrated religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Arlington, I congratulate Monsignor Robert Avella, Monsignor John Cregan, and Monsignor Stanley Krempa for the recognition they have received for their dedicated and faithful priestly service. Their priestly ministries have been and remain a special gift to the Diocese of Arlington! They have demonstrated the virtues of the priestly vocation, and their lives have inspired all who know them, especially their brother priests and those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I ask all in the Diocese of Arlington to join me in congratulating these wonderful priests and to continue to pray for them."

The three priests join the Diocese’s three other Monsignors — Rev. Msgr. Frank J. Hendrick, Rev. Msgr. R. Roy Cosby and Rev. Msgr. Frank E. Mahler, all retired.

(To read more, click here to the article appearing in the Arlington Catholic Herald: https://www.catholicherald.com/News/Local_News/Pope_Francis_names_three_Monsignors_in_the_Diocese_of_Arlington/ )