Archbishop Lori announces appointments of vicar for clergy, vocations director, pastors, vicars forane November 2, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Appointments, Feature, Local News, News Archbishop William E. Lori has announced the appointment of several priests to serve as pastors, vicar for clergy, vocations director and vicars forane. A vicar forane assists and supports the pastors and parishes within a geographic region of the archdiocese, serving as a liaison between local parishes and the archbishop while helping coordinate pastoral initiatives and fostering collaboration among clergy. The appointments are as follows: PASTOR Rev. Mark Bialek From Pastor, Pastorate of St. John Parish, Westminster, and St. Joseph Parish, Taneytown, to Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Towson. Effective Dec.. 31. Rev. James Proffitt To Pastor, Pastorate of St. John Parish, Westminster, and St. Joseph Parish, Taneytown, while continuing as Vicar for Clergy for the time being. Effective Dec. 31. SPECIAL MINISTRY Rev. Steven Roth From Associate Vicar for Clergy and Director of Vocations to Vicar for Clergy. Effective July 1, 2027. Rev. Justin Gough From Chaplain, Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, to Director of Vocations. Effective July 1, 2027. VICARS FORANE Rev. Michael DeAscanis To Vicar Forane, South Central Region, while continuing as Pastor of the Pastorate of St. Louis Parish, Clarksville, and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Fulton. Effective Oct. 1. Rev. Kevin Ewing To Vicar Forane, Metro West Region, while continuing as Pastor of Catholic Community of South Baltimore. Effective Oct. 1. Rev. Gerard Francik To Vicar Forane, Northwest Metro Region, while continuing as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Glyndon. Effective Oct. 1. Rev. Monsignor J. Bruce Jarboe To Vicar Forane, Central Region, while continuing as Pastor of St. Ann Parish, Hagerstown. Effective Oct. 1. Rev. William Keown To Vicar Forane, Western Region, while continuing as Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Oakland. Effective Oct. 1. Rev. T. Austin Murphy To Vicar Forane, Anne Arundel Region, while continuing as Pastor of the Pastorate of Christ the King Parish, Glen Burnie, and St. Bernadette Parish, Severn. Effective Oct. 1. Rev. Monsignor Kevin Schenning To Vicar Forane, Northeast Metro Region, while continuing at Pastor of St. Margaret Parish, Bel Air. Effective Oct. 1. Rev. John Streifel To Vicar Forane, while continuing as Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Essex. Effective Oct. 1. More local stories Josephites urge Catholics to defend civic participation of marginalized communities Archbishop Lori brings message of hope, redemption to Maryland inmates Catholic Charities names chief strategy officer Genealogist helps families uncover their past Maryland priest recounts stories of ghosts and the unexplained Where the dead speak Copyright © 2026 Catholic Review Media Print
