Presbyteral Council meets

This presbyteral council met Monday at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Tucson. This was the first meeting since Bishop James Misko was installed in February. The priests are tasked with directly supporting Bishop Misko while advising him on matters pertaining to the nearly 180 priests of the diocese. The priest leaders, known as Deans or Vicars Forane, represent priests in their respective regions of the diocese. The deaneries, also known as vicariates, are regions of the diocese. This year’s presbyteral council is as follows:

Cochise Vicariate — Very Rev. Virgilio Tabo

Gila/Pinal-East/Graham and Greenlee Vicariate — Very Rev. Madhu George

Pima-Central Vicariate — Very Rev. Mark Long

Pima-East Vicariate — Very Rev. Alonzo Garcia (Secretary)

Pima-North Vicariate — Very Rev. Edson Elizarraras

Pima-South Vicariate — Very Rev. Marcos Velasquez (Chairman)

Pima-West Vicariate — Very Rev. Jay Luczak (Vice-chair)

Santa Cruz Vicariate —Very Rev. Martin Martinez

Yuma-La Paz Vicariate — Very Rev. John Gonzales

International — Very Rev. Richard Kusugh, VC

Ex officio — Very Rev. Edward Lucero, Vicar General

Ex officio — Very Rev. Lester Mendonsa, JCD, STD, Judicial Vicar

Ex officio — Very Rev. Msgr. Raul Trevizo, Episcopal Vicar for Hispanic Priests

Ex officio — Very Rev. Alan Valencia, Vocations Director

Appointee — Very Rev. Msgr. Gregory Adolf

Appointee — Very Rev. Patrick Crino

The majority of the council members are elected by the priests within their respective Vicariates. The remaining members serve ex officio, and the final two members were appointed. The elected Deans, or Vicars Forane, are chosen to represent their vicariate by speaking on behalf of their brother priests, and share information and guidance from  Bishop Misko to the priests in their area.