New priests, deacons add to Catholic parishes in Pittsburgh diocese
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh ordained three men as priests and three as deacons Saturday, two weeks after announcing mergers involving 10 parishes with five priests among them.
While Pittsburgh-area Catholics lamented the mergers, which will result in the closure of two church buildings, the ordinations were cause for celebration. About 1,000 people packed Oakland's St. Paul Cathedral for the Mass, giving the Revs. Jack Demnyan, Adam C. Potter and Anthony R. Sciarappa and deacons Benjamin E. Barr, David W. Green and Daniel R. Waruszewski several rousing ovations.
“Roll up your sleeves and get to work immediately,” Bishop David A. Zubik told the men.
The Rev. Ronald P. Lengwin, a diocesan spokesman, said the diocese has ordained about four priests a year on average in recent years. The three new deacons are considered “transitional deacons” — meaning they intend to become priests next year.
The diocese's number of priests, along with the number nationally, has been in free fall in recent decades. The Pittsburgh diocese has 225 active priests, down from more than 600 about 25 years ago. The diocese has projected the number could fall to 112 by 2025.
Of the six men ordained Sunday, four had previously left the priestly formation program before returning to pursue their calling, including one of the priests.
The diocese said Demnyan entered the priestly formation program after graduating from Canon-McMillan High School in 2003. He began his studies at Saint Paul Seminary in East Carnegie and Duquesne University, but withdrew in October 2004 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration from California University of Pennsylvania. He returned to the formation program in the fall of 2009. Zubik assigned Demnyan to St. Bernard Parish in Mt. Lebanon.
“It's not the norm, but it's certainly not uncommon,” diocesan spokeswoman Ann Rodgers said. “The Catholic priesthood is a tremendous decision.”
Potter graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 2006 and earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Penn State Behrend in Erie in 2010. He entered the priestly formation program that fall. He was assigned Saturday to the Word of God Parish in Swissvale through the summer, after which time he will return to the Pontifical North American College in Rome to complete his graduate studies.
Sciarappa graduated from North Allegheny Senior High School in 2008 and entered the priestly formation program that fall. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Duquesne University in 2012. He was assigned to three Butler parishes.
“Let what you teach be nourishment for the people of God,” Zubik told the new priests.
Tom Fontaine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7847 or tfontaine@tribweb.com.
