BRAINTREE -- In a letter released Dec. 2, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley announced that Bishop Mark O'Connell has been appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, effective Jan. 1, 2023. He succeeds Bishop Peter Uglietto, who has served as Vicar General for the past nine years.

Essentially serving as "second-in-command," the Vicar General assists the archbishop in the executive functions of governing the Archdiocese. He is the Archdiocese's highest-ranking appointed official and has full authority over matters that the archbishop has not reserved for himself or delegated to others under Church law. In his role as Moderator of the Curia, the Vicar General oversees the ministries and offices of the Archdiocese's central administration.

Since his episcopal ordination in August 2016, Bishop O'Connell has served as Episcopal Vicar for the North Region and pastor of St. Theresa of Lisieux in North Reading. Previously, he served as Assistant to the Moderator of the Curia for Canonical Affairs and was the Judicial Vicar from 2007 to 2016. He has also served on the faculty at both St. John Seminary and Pope St. John XXIII Seminary.

"In Bishop Mark, we are welcoming an established and accomplished leader to this important position," the cardinal said.

The cardinal noted that a new Episcopal Vicar for the North Region will soon be appointed, who will also serve as Pastor for Saint Theresa of Lisieux Parish.

Bishop Uglietto was ordained a bishop in 2010 and has served as Vicar General since March 2014. Prior to his episcopal ordination, he served as rector and president of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston for five years.

In his letter, the cardinal commented Bishop Uglietto for his service.

"He has faithfully carried out the many responsibilities of the Vicar General's Office with distinction and will assist us as we begin this transition. I am extremely grateful for Bishop Uglietto's wise counsel, his commitment to the Archdiocese, and the fellowship of his priesthood," Cardinal O'Malley said.



Following is the full text of Cardinal O'Malley's announcement:



December 2, 2022

My Dear Friends in Christ,

Allow me this opportunity to thank you for all you do every day on behalf of the parishes, schools, and ministries of the Archdiocese. In recent years, we have faced unprecedented challenges. During that time, we saw great acts of mercy and love. Your dedication and commitment to the work of the Church is a blessing for the people we serve.

Today I wish to share with you that I am appointing the Most Reverend Mark O'Connell, JCD, as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Boston. Bishop Mark will officially assume his new position on January 1, 2023.

He succeeds the Most Rev. Peter J. Uglietto, S.T.D., who has served as Vicar General for the past nine years.

Prior to being ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of Boston assigned to the North Region, for twenty years Bishop Uglietto served at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, including five years as Rector and President. He has faithfully carried out the many responsibilities of the Vicar General's Office with distinction and will assist us as we begin this transition. I am extremely grateful for Bishop Uglietto's wise counsel, his commitment to the Archdiocese, and the fellowship of his priesthood.

In Bishop Mark, we are welcoming an established and accomplished leader to this important position. He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Boston in August 2016 and has served as Episcopal Vicar for the North Region and Pastor of St. Theresa of Lisieux in North Reading. Previously, he served as Assistant to the Moderator of the Curia for Canonical Affairs and was the Judicial Vicar from 2007 to 2016. He has also served on the faculty at both St. John Seminary and Pope St. John XXIII Seminary.

We will soon announce the appointment of the Episcopal Vicar for the North Region, who will also serve as Pastor for St. Theresa of Lisieux in North Reading.

Please join me in thanking Bishop Uglietto for his leadership and pastoral care. We welcome Bishop Mark, with the assurance of our prayers and support, as he undertakes this important responsibility in the Archdiocese.

Asking God's blessings upon you and all your loved ones during Advent and at Christmas, I remain devotedly yours in Christ,

Cardinal Seán