Bishop Alfred Schlert has announced new assignments for diocesan priests.

Every year the Bishop works with the Priest Personnel Board, an advisory body made up of experienced priests who are representative of the Diocese and its many regions and ministries, to make decisions on new assignments.

New assignments are designed to meet the needs of the faithful in the Diocese’s 80 parishes, as well as fulfilling pastoral needs at college campuses, at hospitals, and at diocesan high schools.

Priests can be reassigned for a number of reasons, including openings due to retirements, requests from clergy members, professional development of priests, and the need for a specific skill or talent that is a good match for a certain ministry.

The following local assignments are effective June 15, unless otherwise noted:

Pastors Emeriti

• The Rev. James J. Ward, pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Jim Thorpe to Pastor Emeritus, Immaculate Conception Parish, Jim Thorpe.

• The Rev. Monsignor Robert J. Wargo, Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Orefield to Pastor Emeritus, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Orefield.

Pastors

• The Rev. Monsignor Victor F. Finelli, V.J., Pastor, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Allentown to Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Orefield, while remaining Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Allentown.

• The Rev. Robert T. Finlan, Pastor, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading to Pastor, Saint John XXIII Parish, Tamaqua and Pastor, Saint Richard Parish, Barnesville.

• The Rev. John A. Frink, Pastor, Saint John XXIII Parish, Tamaqua to Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Mohnton.

• The Rev. Robert J. George, Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem to Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Summit Hill and Rector, Shrine of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Nesquehoning.

• The Rev. Monsignor William F. Glosser, V.F., Pastor, Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Saint Clair also to Pastor, Holy Cross Parish, New Philadelphia.

• The Rev. Allen J. Hoffa, Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Summit Hill, Rector, Shrine of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Nesquehoning, and interim Head of School, Marian High School, Tamaqua to Pastor, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading.

• The Rev. Ronald J. Minner, Pastor, Holy Cross Parish, New Philadelphia to Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Jim Thorpe.

• Reverend Dominic Thao Pham, Parochial Administrator, Saint Mary Parish, Ringtown and Parochial Administrator, Saint Joseph Parish, Sheppton to Pastor, Saint Mary Parish, Ringtown and Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Sheppton.

Parochial Administrators

• The Rev. Eric N. Tolentino, Parochial Administrator, Saint Richard Parish, Barnesville to Parochial Administrator, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Catasauqua.