March 6, 2014 - Cardinal Appoints Rev. Brian Kiely Episcopal Vicar for the West Region*

Braintree, MA (March 6, 2014) – Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley has appointed Rev. Brian R. Kiely as Episcopal Vicar of the West Region in the Archdiocese of Boston.  The effective date for Fr. Kiely’s appointment will be finalized in the coming weeks.
 
Cardinal Seán said, “Fr. Kiely is an experienced pastor who has a deep understanding of the parishes of the Archdiocese and has demonstrated strong leadership skills.  During my time as Bishop of the Virgin Islands he provided very effective and helpful pastoral service at a time of need.  His knowledge of the West Region of the Archdiocese will be a blessing for the parishes and faithful of the communities there. "
 
Raised in Hingham, MA, Fr. Kiely was ordained to the priesthood at the North American College in Rome on June 6, 1978.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy, Saint John's Seminary, 1974, Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum) in 1977 and M.A.,Theology, at Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum) in 1978.
 
In addition to his distinguished leadership of St. Patrick Parish, Fr. Kiely has served at Holy Family Parish in Duxbury,  Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Norwood, Saint Jean Baptiste Parish in Lowell, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Dracut, Saint Theresa of Lisieux Parish in Sherborn and Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish in Millis.  He has served on the Clergy Personnel Board, Presbyteral Council, St. Sebastian's Board of Trustees, Pastor's Advisory Board for the Promise for Tomorrow, and iCatholic Media.
 
It had been recently announced that this coming June Fr. Kiely would begin an assignment as pastor of St. Agatha Parish in Milton,  a collaborative of Phase II of Disciples in Mission.  As has been the case numerous times during the course of his priesthood, Fr. Kiely has generously accepted the call to a new assignment.   In the coming weeks there will be further information concerning the leadership of St. Agatha Parish as a new collaborative.
 
About the Archdiocese of Boston: The Diocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of 1.8 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 289 parishes, across 144 communities, educating approximately 42,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156,000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of 200,000 individuals through its pastoral and social service outreach.   Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit  www.BostonCatholic.org.