Bishop Walsh Named Vicar General of the Archdiocese

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Auxiliary Bishop Gerald T. Walsh has been named vicar general of the archdiocese, the Cardinal’s Office has announced. He will continue in his post as vicar for clergy.

Cardinal Dolan, in the Feb. 13 announcement, said, “Our thanks to Bishop Gerald Walsh, our auxiliary bishop and vicar for clergy, who has generously accepted my invitation to become vicar general, while continuing to serve as vicar for clergy.”

It is fitting that Bishop Walsh assumes the post after Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, who on Feb. 12 was installed as the Bishop of Camden, N.J., held it—Cardinal Egan consecrated both bishops in the same ceremony Sept. 21 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 2004.

In a memorandum from the Cardinal’s Office, Cardinal Dolan thanked Bishop Sullivan and sent him a “fond farewell,” assuring that archdiocese will continue to “accompany him with our prayers.”

Bishop Walsh has served as vicar for clergy and episcopal vicar of the Rockland, Central Westchester, South Shore and Yonkers vicariates since last July. Prior to those appointments he had served as rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie since 2007.

He brings with him a vast amount of service to the archdiocese. He served as priest secretary to Cardinal John O’Connor, 1996-1998. Bishop Walsh has also served as vicar for development in the archdiocese, and was vicar of North Manhattan, 1998-2007.

He served with archdiocesan Catholic Charities as director of the Department of Family and Children’s Services, 1983-1989, and as associate director there, 1980-1983.

Bishop Walsh also has extensive pastoral experience. He served as pastor in the Washington Heights parishes of St. Elizabeth’s, 1998-2007 and Incarnation, 1989-1995. He was parochial vicar of Holy Trinity parish, Manhattan, 1967-1980.

Born in Manhattan, Bishop Walsh grew up in Good Shepherd parish. He attended Iona College before entering St. Joseph’s Seminary, where he earned master’s degrees in divinity and theology. He also holds a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University.

He was ordained a priest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1967 and named a monsignor in 1990.