November 9, 2007
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
Pope Benedict XVI honors members of the Archdiocese of Portland
Archbishop John G. Vlazny has announced that Pope Benedict XVI has awarded nine priests of the Archdiocese of Portland the honorary title Monsignor. In addition he has conveyed honors on a religious order priest, four religious order women, one deacon and several lay men and women. In a letter to honorees Archbishop Vlazny thanked them for their service, “I thank you most heartily for your fidelity and generosity during these first ten years of my tenure as tenth Archbishop of Portland. I can think of no better way to celebrate this anniversary than with those of you who represent the best of the Catholic community in western Oregon.” In his announcement Archbishop Vlazny noted that “All of the honorees have been consistently faithful and generous in their efforts to build up the church here in western Oregon and to serve our evangelizing mission.”
Pope Benedict has named four priests Prelates of Honor and five priests Chaplains to His Holiness. Each is entitled to be addressed as Reverend Monsignor, and Monsignors are considered honorary members of the Papal Household.
Priests named Prelates of Honor of His
Holiness:
Reverend Monsignor Dennis O’Donovan
Reverend Monsignor Morton Park
Reverend Monsignor James Ninh Pham
Reverend Monsignor Charles Taaffe
Priests named Chaplains to His Holiness:
Reverend Monsignor Arthur Dernbach
Reverend Monsignor Carl Gimpl
Reverend Monsignor Charles Lienert
Reverend Monsignor Gregory Moys
Reverend Monsignor Timothy Murphy
Eight lay men and women were named Knights and Ladies of the Order of St. Gregory. The Order of St. Gregory the Great was instituted in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI and named for St. Gregory the Great. This honor is bestowed for persons who have diligently served the Church on the local level.
The Knights and Ladies of the Order
of St. Gregory the Great:
Mr. William Ihle, Medford
Mr. Sam Jackson, Jr., Portland
John and Kim Limb, Portland
John and Chrissy Murphy, Eugene
Diarmuid and Maura O’Scannlain, Portland
The Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross (For the Church and the Pope) was instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1889. It is bestowed on those who have given service to the Church.
Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross:
Reverend Joseph Browne, C.S.C., Portland
Deacon Owen Cummings, Mount Angel
Sister Maria Ciriello, O.P., Portland
Sister Alberta Dieker, O.S.B., Mount Angel
Sister Margaret Graziano, S.N.J.M., Eugene
Sister Geralda Meskill, O.S.F., Portland
Ms. Paulette Furness, Lake Oswego
Mr. Dennis Keenan, Portland
Ms. Mary Jo Tully, Portland
Mr. Leonard Vuylsteke, Beaverton
The Benemerenti Medal (“good merit”) was first given by Pope Pius VI in 1791. It is given in recognition of service to church, family and community.
Benemerenti Medal:
Mrs. Eloisa Hernandez, Salem
Mrs. Joan Legg, Ashland
Mr. Joseph Weston, Portland
An investiture ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 13, at St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (NW 18th and Couch Streets) in Portland. The Investiture will take place at a Vespers service, which will begin at 3:00 p.m.
###