Youngstown Bishop Appoints Zuraw Vicar General

YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, bishop of Youngstown, this week announced the appointment of Msgr. John Zuraw as a vicar general, effective July 1.

Zuraw’s responsibilities include moderator of parish, school, and ministerial leadership and for external operations of the diocese. Msgr. Robert Siffrin will continue to serve as vicar general and moderator of the Curia, with responsibilities for internal operations of the diocese. The role of vicar general is to represent the bishop in all civil and canonical matters as needed.

Zuraw will continue to serve as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Dean of Trumbull County. For the time being, he will remain as chancellor for the Diocese of Youngstown and coordinator for the Diocesan Pastoral Council. He will also assume additional oversight of the diocese’s Presbyteral Council. He remains the point person for the regional pastoral plan.

“Since my installation as bishop, Msgr. Zuraw has been a trusted confidant and an exemplary colleague, responding effectively and efficiently to all that has been asked of him. This appointment not only affirms all the good work Msgr. Zuraw has done but it also prepares the way for an eventual plan of succession,” Bishop Bonnar says.

“I wish to also express my gratitude to Msgr. Siffrin for his leadership. Just a few months ago, Msgr. Siffrin at my request assumed leadership for Saint Columba Cathedral, the mother church of our diocese, in addition to serving as pastor of Saint Edward Parish, vicar gneral and moderator of the Curia. Msgr. Siffrin will be a great mentor for Msgr. Zuraw,” he says.

Zuraw is a native of Campbell and graduate of Ursuline High School, Youngstown State University, the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, and Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Cincinnati, with a License in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America. He was ordained in 1987 by Bishop James Malone.

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