BRAINTREE -- Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley has announced the appointment of Father Bryan K. Parrish as interim episcopal vicar and Secretary for Parish Life and Leadership effective June 1, 2015. In this role, Father Parrish will oversee and work collaboratively with the Offices of Clergy Personnel and Ongoing Formation, Pastoral Outreach to Priests, Pastoral Planning, Vocations, Permanent Diaconate Formation and Life and Ministry, and the Clergy Funds.

"We are most grateful to Father Parrish for his generous and conscientious service as assistant vicar for Administration over the past five years," said Bishop Peter Uglietto, vicar general and moderator of the curia. "He will bring a wide range of priestly experience as well as many natural gifts to this very important ministry in the archdiocese."

A native of Canton, and educated at St. John's Seminary, Father Parrish was ordained a priest in 1988. He has served as a parochial vicar in Quincy and Wellesley, and as pastor of St. Mary in Plymouth and Holy Family in Duxbury. In addition, he served as a vicar forane in the South Region for 8 years. Since May 2010, Father Parrish has served in the vicar general's office as assistant vicar for administration and special assistant to the vicar general, and as a member of the cardinal's cabinet.

Father William P. Joy, currently pastor of St. Angela Merici in Mattapan and St. Matthew in Dorchester, has been named interim assistant vicar for administration and special assistant to the vicar general, also effective June 1.