PROVIDENCE — Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has appointed three priests to oversee special ministries within the Diocese of Providence.
Father Francesco Francese, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish, Providence, has been appointed as Director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith for a three-year term. In the part time position, Father Francese succeeds the late Father Robert Perron in leading the Diocesan Mission Office. His work will involve raising funds for missions and disbursing them in a responsible way to promote educational and information programs highlighting the Church’s missionary work throughout the diocese.
“The work of promoting the missionary work of the Church is integral to her mission in every age, but never more so than in this era of the New Evangelization,” Bishop Tobin said in his appointment letter.
Father Stephen J. Dandeneau, pastor of St. Eugene Parish, Chepatchet, has been appointed to serve as chaplain of the Human Life Guild. Through works of education, advocacy and prayer, the Human Life Guild helps to promote the understanding and acceptance of the Gospel of Life, in all of its facets, in the Diocese of Providence.
“The Guild, in a very informal structure, brings the faithful together to promote and defend our respect for human life, which is, I believe, the preeminent moral challenge of our time,” Bishop Tobin said in his appointment letter.
Father John E. Unsworth has been appointed to serve as Senior Priest Advisor of the diocese.
“In this role you will provide an important bridge between our retired priests and the Diocese, and will be a valuable source of ongoing information and communication,” the bishop said in his appointment letter.
Father Unsworth’s responsibilities will include making regular visits to retired priests to evaluate their personal, spiritual and material needs, and then conveying his assessments through written reports that he will submit to both Bishop Tobin and Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans for their review.
