By Katie Vasquez
Pews of people from Brooklyn and Queens came together Wednesday night, Oct. 4, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, as four clergymen stepped up to lead different parts of the diocese.
The four men were installed as Regional Episcopal Vicars, meaning they will be in charge of a group of parishes, known as deaneries, that have been grouped together into a region.
The diocese previously had two regions, but now, there will be four, two in Brooklyn and two in Queens.
Bishop Brennan said the plan to split the diocese is actually meant to help bring everyone together.
“We can take this step,” Bishop Brennan said. “Be a little more present in each of the four vicariates and work on and continue to foster those means of communication and collaboration.”
Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski will be the Episcopal Vicar For Brooklyn West, a title he doesn’t take lightly.
“I will deal with the priests and with the laypeople with the parishes,” Bishop Mroziewski said. “So it’s a very significant position and a very significant responsibility to me.”
Father Joseph Hoffman will lead Brooklyn East, bringing with him his more than 40 years of priesthood and his experience as an FDNY chaplain.
As a priest in the diocese for 34 years, Father John Costello also has extensive knowledge of the church. But as the Episocal Vicar for Queens East, he wants to focus on listening to parishioners.
“I think we need to give people that respect to help us plan what the future is going to be,” Father Costello said.
Father Peter Purpura, who will be in charge of Queens West, already has some plans on what he would like to change.
“I felt over the years that very often we’re competing with one another, parish against parish,” Father Purpura said. “So how can we kind of approach pastoral work in a way that we can complement one another to serve as many people as possible?”
The four men will work with deaneries, support diocesan initiatives, install and assist new pastors, and address any complaints.
The people in the pews are excited to be able to have their voices heard.