BRIGHTON—Archbishop Seán P. O’Malley announced Jan. 10 that Chancellor David W. Smith will retire in July of this year. Smith has served as chancellor for the last five years and has worked for the archdiocese for the last 15 years.

 

Smith, the fourth lay chancellor in Boston, has been responsible for the financial management of the archdiocese including budget, financial reporting, cash management, investments, risk management, MIS, benefits, human resources, cemeteries, real estate and facilities.

In making the announcement, the archbishop praised Smith for his service.

“David Smith has served the archdiocese with distinction during difficult and challenging times. I wish to personally express my gratitude for his commitment to the good of the Church and his unwavering dedication to our faith,” he said.

Smith told The Pilot Jan. 11 that he has been glad to work for the Church during “these difficult times.”

“I really feel honored to have been given the opportunity to serve the Church, and I hope that I made a positive contribution,” he said. “I’ve met some of the finest people I’ve ever known here.”

Smith said he planned to retire this year when he accepted the position in 2001. Following his departure, he and his wife will move to North Carolina and take some “time to reflect” for the next six months.

“I have had a lot of responsibility for a very long time, and I’m going to put that down and determine what it is that I want to do next,” he said.

Archbishop O’Malley also announced that he has formed a committee to find Smith’s replacement.

Neal Finnegan, director of Citizens Financial Capital, Inc., will chair the committee, which will be made up of local leadership in finance and communications, members of the archdiocesan Finance Council, and clergy from the archbishop’s administrative cabinet and parish leadership.

“The new chancellor will play an integral role in strategic development plans for the archdiocese,” Archbishop O’Malley said. “The chancellor’s input will be critical to achieving the financial recovery that is a necessary element of strengthening the work of the Church and having the resources to carry out our mission.”

The search process will begin immediately with the goal of transitioning the new chancellor into the office prior to Smith’s departure.

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