The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

WHEELING, W.Va.—Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has announced the appointment of Monsignor Frederick P. Annie, V.E., as vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, effective immediately.

After the bishop, the vicar general is the highest-ranking official in the diocese, having authority to exercise a degree of episcopal jurisdiction in the bishop’s name.

Annie replaces the Very Rev. Jerome McKenna, CP, V.G., who will return to his religious order, the Passionists of the Province of St. Paul of the Cross, Feb. 1 to begin a new assignment as head of strategic planning for the province.

“I am very grateful to Monsignor Annie for his continuing contributions to the diocese,” Bransfield said. “This native son of West Virginia has been very helpful to me in priest personnel matters and in so many administrative capacities. I look forward to working more closely with him in his role as vicar general. I chose for vicar general a priest with experience in the diocesan curia, and Monsignor Annie is also uniquely qualified to advise and assist me on all matters relating to this expansive diocese.

Letter from Bishop Bransfield- Fr. McKenna returning to Passionists; Msgr. Annie named Vicar General

January 5, 2009

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As we enter the New Year, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has many reasons to be thankful. We have been blessed with the hard work of many ordained religious men and women over the years in the development of our Catholic schools, outreach programs and evangelization efforts in West Virginia. Uniquely, this Diocese has been blessed with not only Diocesan priests but men and women from several religious orders. These men and women have brought the charisms of their communities to our diocese and made all of us better as a result. Each of these religious orders has given us the benefit of their people and we know that there may come a day when these religious may need to go back to their faith communities and serve a different ministry.

Before Christmas, I was made aware of a situation that will require one of our Diocesan leaders to embark on a new ministry within his order. Effective February 1, 2009, Very Rev. Jerome McKenna, CP, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, will return to his order, The Passionists of the Province of St. Paul of the Cross, to begin his new ministry as head of strategic planning of the province.

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