Pope Names New Bishop for Diocese
The Holy See announced on July 7, 2008 that the Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly, D.D. has been appointed the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. He succeeds the Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, D.D., who has served as the eighth bishop of the diocese since 1996. In keeping with canon law, Bishop Saltarelli offered his resignation to the Holy Father when he turned 75 years of age.
Bishop Saltarelli said of Bishop Malooly’s appointment, “This is a momentous time in the history of the Church of Wilmington. The diocese has been blessed. I couldn’t be happier. I give thanks to God, thanks to our Holy Father and thanks to Bishop Malooly for saying yes to the will of God to come and be our shepherd.”
Father Thomas Protack had the opportunity to work under Bishop Malooly, then Msgr. Malooly, during the coordination of the Papal Visit to Baltimore of Pope John Paul II in 1995. "I can personally attest that Bishop Malooly brings with him many great talents and skills that will serve the People of God in our Diocese very well."
In December 2007, Bishop Saltarelli appointed Msgr. John Barres and Father Protack to oversee the welcoming and transition of the new Bishop of Wilmington, which requires significant time in Wilmington and Baltimore. Father spent the day of Bishop Malooly's announcement with Bishop Malooly touring Diocesan buildings, the Cathedral and even visiting one of the retired priests in a convalescent home.
"In six short hours, our new bishop accomplished a lot. No doubt, he will continue that pace and do great things," Father stated. "I am most grateful to Father Pileggi and Deacons Pinder, Lemon and Weschler and the Pastoral Staff for their willingness to handle the daily business and pastoral needs of the parish as I help with this transition," Father Protack concludes.
Bishop Malooly was installed as the ninth Bishop of the Diocese that includes the entire State of Delaware and the nine counties of Maryland's Eastern Shore on September 8, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Church, Cedar and Clayton Streets in Wilmington, Delaware.
Bishop Francis Malooly
A Maryland
native, the Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly, D.D., V.G. is Titular Bishop of
Flumenzer, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, Moderator of the Curia, Vicar General
and Western Vicar (for Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, Carroll and
Howard counties) He was born on January 18, 1944 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was
ordained to the priesthood on May 9, 1970 and was ordained a Bishop on March 1,
2001.
He attended elementary school at St. Ursula in Parkville, Maryland and secondary
and undergraduate school at St. Charles in Catonsville, Maryland followed by
seminary training at St. Mary on Paca Street in Baltimore and St. Mary, Roland
Park (now St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore). He was ordained a
priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore by his uncle, the late Bishop T. Austin
Murphy, at the St. Ursula parish church on May 9, 1970.
He has served as Associate Pastor at St. Joseph, Texas, Maryland and St. Anthony
of Padua, Baltimore, Maryland. He was Associate Administrator, then
Administrator, at the CYO Retreat House in Sparks, Maryland. He also served as
Director of Clergy Personnel for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Chancellor and
Vicar General. In 1990 he was named Prelate of Honor to the Holy Father with
title of Monsignor.
Bishop Malooly was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore
at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on March 1, 2001. Cardinal William H. Keeler,
then Archbishop of Baltimore, appointed him Western Vicar for the 38 parishes
and six missions in Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, and
Washington counties in Maryland. He retained appointments as Moderator of the
Curia and Vicar General.
Comments from Bishop Malooly
I expressed my gratitude to Pope Benedict at last week’s General Audience in Rome. I thanked him for appointing me the 9th Bishop of Wilmington and expressed my prayerful desire to serve God’s people in this great diocese, which has been blessed with such fine stewardship through the years.
I want to publicly acknowledge how happy I am to come to the diocese where my good friend, Bishop Saltarelli, has served as bishop. Our friendship dates back to 1994 when we worked together preparing for a Papal visit and I have continued to work with him through our association with the Maryland Catholic Conference and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. I am grateful for his friendship and for his service to God’s people in Wilmington, and I am sure I will be depending upon him for support and guidance in the months and years ahead.
To the people and priests of the Diocese, I very much look forward to meeting you and to discussing how we can best work together in service to our Church and to our God. I have come to know many of the priests—including those who are consultors—and I look forward to getting to know their brothers, as well as the deacons, religious, and seminarians of the diocese.
Finally, it is with sadness that I prepare to take leave of my responsibilities at the Archdiocese of Baltimore. I have been blessed beyond measure to serve with many find priests and bishops and to serve so many wonderful people in my hometown.