BRIGHTON -- Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley appointed Father Arthur L. Kennedy as the 19th rector of St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, effective July 1, 2007. Father John A. Farren, OP, the current rector, will conclude his term on June 30, according to a statement dated Jan. 31.

Cardinal O’Malley praised Father Kennedy in the press release.

“Father Kennedy brings a wealth of academic and administrative achievements, many years of experience in guiding seminarians, and a true love of the priesthood to this important work,” he said. “The Church will be well served by his leadership in overseeing the formation of priests who will serve in the Archdiocese of Boston and the many other dioceses whose candidates for priesthood attend St. John’s Seminary.”

Father Kennedy was ordained for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1966 and served at parishes in Methuen and East Boston for eight years. With the permission of Cardinal Humberto S. Medeiros, he accepted a position as a member of the theology faculty at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. in 1974. He later served as a faculty member in the newly established Catholic Studies program and was director of St. Paul Seminary’s Master of Arts in theology program. Recently he has served as chair of the theology department at St. Thomas and executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

Father Farren also spoke highly of Father Kennedy.

“Father Kennedy brings recognized accomplishment with him,” he said. “His years of distinguished teaching in seminaries, administration, his professional contacts on a national, even an international level -- all of these qualify him as a man of broad vision and deep communion with the Catholic Church.”

In June, Father Farren will begin a new assignment as director of development for the Dominican Province of St. Joseph, based in New York. Father Farren was ordained in 1964. Previously he served as director of the Catholic Information Service for the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Conn. from 1999-2003 and was on the board of trustees at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston from 2000-2003. He has been rector at St. John’s since 2003.

Cardinal O’Malley said in the statement that he appreciated Father Farren’s hard work and dedication.

“During the past three years Father Farren has guided the seminary in focusing on the importance of a life centered in prayer and the sacraments, so as to foster growth in holiness,” he said. “His leadership and dedication to the mission of the Church have greatly benefited the Church in our archdiocese and beyond.”