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/ )