The Vicar for Clergy is chosen and appointed by the Archbishop and represents him in working directly with the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese. He is particularly entrusted with the responsibility of making recommendations to the Archbishop as to the assignment of priests and deacons to the various pastoral placements in the Archdiocese, especially to ministry in parishes, but also to hospital, prison and educational chaplaincies, and other specialized ministries.

The Vicar is assisted in his work by the Personnel Advisory Board and the Assistant to the Vicar for Clergy for the Permanent Diaconate. The Vicar for Clergy also attempts to be attentive to the personal and ministerial needs and desires of the priests, as well as to concerns raised by parishioners and members of the faithful regarding priests and their ministry.

By their very nature, clergy assignments and the organization of parishes in the Archdiocese are linked; as such the Vicar coordinates often with the Secretariat for Pastoral Services (Pastoral Planning).

With regard to issues of a more personal nature, such as a priest’s health and well-being, the Vicar for Clergy works closely with the Minister for Priests.

The Vicar for Clergy
Rev. Monsignor James A. Shanley

Assistant to the Vicar for Clergy for the Permanent Diaconate
Deacon James McCormack

Personnel Advisory Board
The Vicar for Clergy chairs a Personnel Advisory Board, appointed by the Archbishop, to assist in making recommendations to the Archbishop for clergy appointments. Members of the Personnel Board are:

Reverend Monsignor James A. Shanley, Chair
Most Reverend Juan M. Betancourt, SEMV, (ex-officio) Auxiliary Bishop/Vicar General
Very Reverend Steven C. Boguslawski, (ex-officio) Moderator of the Curia/Vicar General
Reverend Joseph P. Crowley, Dean, Deanery 1
Reverend Matthew G. Gworek, Dean, Deanery 2
Reverend Nicholas P. Melo, Dean, Deanery 3
Reverend Ivan D. Ramirez, Dean, Deanery 4
Reverend Diego A. Jimenez, Dean, Deanery 5
Reverend Jeffrey V. Romans, Dean, Deanery 6
Reverend Jose A. Mercado, Dean, Deanery 7
Very Reverend John P. Melnick, Episcopal Vicar, Northern Vicariate
Very Reverend Daniel Keefe, Episcopal Vicar, Southern Vicariate
Reverend Robert Kwiatkowski, Episcopal Vicar, Western Vicariate

Office of the Vicar for Clergy
Mailing Address:
134 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06105
860-242-5573