BRAINTREE -- Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley appointed Father Gerard Petringa as episcopal vicar of the North Region in the Archdiocese of Boston on Feb. 14. Father Petringa's appointment is effective March 6, 2014. He succeeds Bishop Peter Uglietto who was recently named as the next Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the archdiocese.

In making the announcement, Cardinal O'Malley said, "Father Petringa brings significant experience as a parochial vicar and pastor at parishes throughout the archdiocese to this new assignment. Also, as a member of the Presbyteral Council, Father Petringa has consulted on many of archdiocese's initiatives of recent years, including the planning and implementation for Disciples in Mission."

Father Petringa, age 61, was ordained to the priesthood on June 25, 1988. His education includes Master Pipefitter, Graduate Apprentice, Boston Pipefitters' Local 537 (1976), B.A., Philosophy, St. John's Seminary (1984), Master of Divinity, St. John's Seminary (1988) and M.A., Church History and Social teaching, St. John's Seminary (1989).

His parish assignments have taken him to St. John the Evangelist Parish, Swampscott; St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Woburn; St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish, Danvers and St. John the Baptist Parish, Quincy. He was pastor of St. Luke Parish, Belmont for more than 10 years. Most recently he has served as parochial vicar at St. Brigid Parish, Lexington and Sacred Heart Parish, Lexington. Father Petringa is a member of the Presbyteral Council for the archdiocese as well as actively engaged in the work of the Archdiocesan Clergy Health and Retirement Trust.