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Click here to download decree No. 010-2026 from Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez

DECREE

In the matter of:

DIOCESAN ASSIGNMENTS

No.010-2026

Whereas, the Diocesan Bishop is entrusted with the pastoral care, governance, and administration of the particular Church committed to him according to the norm of law (cf. cann. 381 §1; 391 §§1–2 of the Code of Canon Law -henceforth CIC-);

Whereas, as soon as I commenced my service as Diocesan Bishop in the Diocese of Palm Beach, I deemed it pertinent to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all diocesan offices and affiliated organizations (especially Catholic Charities and Catholic Cemetery) in order to determine the current status of each of them and the suitability and effectiveness of the services they are meant to provide to the Parishes and to the People of God entrusted to my care. The Catholic Leadership Institute of Philadelphia (PA) was retained to conduct such comprehensive assessment and has completed it, having presented me with a full report and specific recommendations;

Whereas, the pastoral needs of the Diocese of Palm Beach and the spiritual welfare of the Christian faithful require that certain ecclesiastical offices and assignments be entrusted to suitable clerics and lay persons for the good of souls and the effective fulfillment of the Church's mission (cf. cann. 383 §1; 394 §1; 519; 1752 CIC);

Whereas, priests and deacons are called to collaborate with their Bishop in the service of the People of God and to faithfully fulfill the ecclesiastical offices entrusted to them (cf. cann. 273; 274 §2; 275 §1 CIC);

Whereas, the lay Christian faithful deemed suitable can be admitted to collaborate with their Diocesan Bishop in the service to the People of God, in order to exercise certain ecclesiastical offices and functions according to the norm of law (cf. can. 228 §1 CIC);

Whereas, these diocesan assignments are made solely in view of the pastoral needs of the Diocese of Palm Beach, the good of the Christian faithful, and the salvation of souls, which in the Church must always be the supreme law (cf. can. 1752 CIC);

Whereas, the diocesan assignments listed herein are hereby established and ordered according to the norm of law;

Therefore, after prayerful reflection, consultation, and discernment, and exercising my lawful authority as Bishop of Palm Beach, I hereby decree the following:

I.      CREATION OF NEW DIOCESAN OFFICES

For the common good of the People of God entrusted to my responsibility, the following new diocesan offices are hereby created and officially established within the Diocese of Palm Beach:

A.     OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD

With authority over the following matters and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

1. Promoting and enforcing all canonical and civil laws, as well as all diocesan policies and regulations, intended to ensure the protection and safeguarding of all members of the ecclesial community within the Diocese of Palm Beach;
2. Enforce and promote compliance with all contents, principles and norms established by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB);
3. Overseeing the Office of the Victim Assistance Coordinator, which reports to the Chief Safeguarding Officer;
4. Exercise vigilance to ensure that all parishes, schools and catholic organizations within the Diocese of Palm Beach are strong safe environments for everyone, most specially minors, young persons and vulnerable adults; 
5. Prosecute, denounce and report to the Ordinary and to the competent law enforcement authorities any sexual misconduct against any member of the ecclesial community, most specially minors, young persons and vulnerable adults;
6. Work closely with the competent State Attorney’s Office, as well as with any other competent law enforcement agency (especially the Florida Department of Children and Families), in all matters of preventing, reporting and prosecuting all potential crimes of sexual misconduct and crimes against the safety of persons, which may have been perpetrated by any ecclesiastical agent (especially members of the clergy, Church employees or Church volunteers). As the head of this Office, the Chief Safeguarding Officer, who reports directly and exclusively to the Diocesan Bishop, remains the main mandated reporter in the Diocese of Palm Beach in all matters of sexual misconduct and safe environment;
7. Overseeing full compliance with all requirements of the Virtus Training Program;

B.     OFFICE OF CLERGY MONITORING

With authority over the following matters and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

1. Exercise vigilance and monitorship on each member of the clergy (bishops, priests and deacons) under canonical investigation upon having been accused of sexual misconduct and/or most serious inappropriate conducts of criminal nature, without detriment to the presumption of innocence enjoyed by the cleric involved (cf. can. 1321 §1 CIC);
2. Exercise vigilance and monitorship on each member of the clergy (bishops, priests and deacons) placed on administrative leave or having been suspended upon having been accused of sexual misconduct and/or most serious inappropriate conducts of criminal nature, without detriment to the presumption of innocence enjoyed by the cleric involved (cf. can. 1321 §1 CIC);
3. Exercise vigilance and monitorship on each member of the clergy (bishops, priests and deacons) found guilty of sexual misconduct and/or most serious inappropriate conducts of criminal nature upon the completion of the related penal process, either in the canonical forum or the state court forum; 
4. In fulfilling the responsibilities of this Office, its head acts with the authority of being an Episcopal Delegate of the Diocesan Bishop;
5. As head of this Office the Episcopal Delegate for Clergy Monitoring reports directly and exclusively to the Diocesan Bishop;
6. Upon personal approval by the Diocesan Bishop, additional Clergy Monitors may be appointed to assist the Episcopal Delegate for Clergy Monitoring in the fulfilment of the responsibilities associated with this Office;

C.     OFFICE OF THE VICAR FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION

With authority over the following matters and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

1. Promoting and ensuring a vibrant, qualified and effective education service by all Catholic schools within the Diocese of Palm Beach;
2. Overseeing the Office of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Palm Beach, which reports to the Vicar for Catholic Education;
3. Overseeing the works of the Horizons of Hope Foundation of the Diocese of Palm Beach, in coordination with the Vicar for Financial Administration, as well any other diocesan fundraising to promote catholic education and access to scholarship;
4. Promote access to catholic schools by students belonging to families in need and/or immigrants;
5. Ensuring that all catholic schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach promote evangelization and faith formation at all levels and including everyone present at the schools: students, families, faculties, staff and administrators;
6. Promoting adequate and effective responses to the educational needs of the families present in the territory of the Diocese Palm Beach, especially by listening to their concerns and actively engaging in addressing them effectively;
7. Discerning and recommending to the Ordinary about the opening of new catholic schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach, according to the needs of the people of God;
8. Closely working with the Chief Safeguarding Officer to ensure the strongest possible safe environment for all minors and young persons present at all catholic schools;
9. Promoting and ensuring the highest level of safety in all catholic schools, especially by effectively addressing and eradicating any risk of bullying among students or school communities;

D.     OFFICE OF THE VICAR FOR THE CLERGY, INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE & SEMINARIANS

With authority over the following matters and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

1. Promoting and ensuring the integral wellbeing of all priests and deacons incardinated in the Diocese of Palm Beach;
2. Acting as the Diocesan Bishop’s Delegate for all senior, infirm and retired priests of the Diocese of Palm Beach;
3. Overseeing all retired and infirm deacons of the Diocese of Palm Beach;
4. Acting as the Diocesan Bishop’s Delegate for all extern priests and deacons serving in the Diocese of Palm Beach, promoting and ensuring their training and suitability for ministry;
5. Overseeing the Office of the Episcopal Delegate for Institutes of Consecrated Life, which is to report to the Vicar for Clergy and Institutes of Consecrated Life;
6. Coordinating with the Offices of the Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia all matters pertaining the assessing of the suitability for office by members of the clergy;
7. Overseeing the Office of the Director of Seminarians, which reports to the Vicar for the Clergy;
8. Advising the Diocesan Bishop in all matters involving admissions to Holy Orders;
9. Advising the Diocesan Bishop in all matters involving excardination and incardination of clerics;

 

E.     OFFICE OF THE VICAR FOR EVANGELIZATION AND CATECHESIS

With authority over the following matters and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

1. Promoting and ensuring an intense, vibrant and effective spreading of the Gospel across the Diocese of Palm Beach;
2. Overseeing the Office of Marriage, Family Life, Faith Formation and Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Palm Beach;
3. The Director of the Office of Marriage, Family Life, Faith Formation and Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Palm Beach reports to the Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis;
4. Overseeing all ethnic and cultural apostolates, especially: the Hispanic Apostolate, Vietnamese Apostolate, the Haitian Apostolate, as well as other ethnic apostolates which may be established.
5. Overseeing the Office of Hispanic Ministry established within the Pastoral Center, which reports to the Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis;
6. Acting as the Diocesan Bishop’s Delegate for all ecclesial movements, ecclesial associations and apostolic groups present in the Diocese of Palm Beach;
7. Coordinating with the Vicar for Strategic Planning and with all Deans the appropriate scheduling of Masses in different languages in all Deaneries, according to the needs of the people of God;
8. Coordinating with the Vicar for Catholic Education about all evangelization efforts happening at catholic schools;
9. Exercise vigilance about the compliance by parishes and schools with all diocesan regulations and policies pertaining faith formation.

F.     OFFICE OF THE VICAR FOR FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOME

With authority over the following matters and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

1. Overseeing and ensuring the suitable administration of all the temporal goods and assets of the Diocese of Palm Beach;
2. Overseeing the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Diocese of Palm Beach, which reports to the Vicar for Financial Administration;
3. Ensuring the fulfilment of the legal responsibilities of the Diocesan Finance Council and working closely with it;
4. Overseeing all diocesan offices responsible for Real Estate, Construction, Buildings, Risk Management & Insurance, Comptroller, Fiscal Concerns, Human Resources, Accounting and Investments. All diocesan offices responsible for said matters report directly to the Vicar for Financial Administration;
5. Overseeing the Office for the Propagation of Faith and Missionary Solidarity, which reports directly to the Vicar for Financial Administration;
6. Overseeing and enforcing the compliance with all financial laws, regulations and diocesan policies by those entrusted with the administration of ecclesiastical goods belonging to the Diocese of Palm Beach and to all its parishes, schools and affiliated organizations;
7. Exercise vigilance in all financial matters with respect to pastors, as well as to parish and school Administrators;
8. Exercise vigilance and overseeing the handling of Mass stipends by priests, as well as the handling by everyone of all donations made to ecclesiastical entities on the occasion of the celebration of a sacrament, especially in order to detect and prosecute any occurrence of simony (cf. can. 1380 CIC).
9. Denouncing and reporting to the Ordinary and to the competent law enforcement authorities all clerics or lay persons credibly accused of embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, financial frauds, grave violations of diocesan financial regulations or financial crimes against ecclesiastical goods belonging to the Diocese of Palm Beach and/or its parishes, schools and affiliated organizations (cf. can. 1393 § 2 CIC).

G.     OFFICE FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH AND MISSIONARY SOLIDARITY

With authority over the following matters and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

1. Promoting support among parishes and schools, and across the entire diocese, to the missionary efforts of the Church both in the United States and abroad, especially among contexts challenged by poverty, limited religious freedom, secularism, and also with respect to young Churches;
2. Working closely with the Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) to ensure steady support to the missionary intentions of the Holy Father and to promote the spreading of charity everywhere;
3. Organize the World Mission Sunday Collection, as well as other missionary appeals to be conducted in parishes and/or schools;
4. Conducting initiatives to promote and support solidarity to the missionary activity of the Church everywhere;
5. This Office replaces the Office of Mission Coop, which is hereby suppressed;
6. This Office reports to the Vicar for Financial Administration;

II.      CREATION OF A NEW DIOCESAN ADVISORY BOARD

For the common good of the People of God entrusted to my responsibility, the following new diocesan board is hereby created and officially established within the Diocese of Palm Beach:

DIOCESAN BISHOP’S CRISIS MANAGEMENT BOARD – BCM

With competency over the following matters and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

1. Advise the Diocesan Bishop in all matters of sexual abuse allegations or sexual misconduct allegations by ecclesiastical agents (i.e. members of the clergy, employees, volunteers, etc.);
2. Advise the Diocesan Bishop in all matters of potential or actual financial malfeasance or financial crimes involving ecclesiastical goods by anyone;
3. Advise the Diocesan Bishop in all matters involving potential or actual violations of ecclesiastical discipline and compliance with canonical laws, diocesan policies and regulations, and civil laws, by ecclesiastical agents (i.e. members of the clergy, employees, volunteers, etc.) within the Diocese of Palm Beach or belonging or being affiliated to the Diocese of Palm Beach;
4. Advise the Diocesan Bishop in all matters involving scandal to the faithful within the Diocese of Palm Beach;
5. Advise the Diocesan Bishop in all matters involving damage of the institutional reputation and/or the good name of the Church, or which may compromise the name “Catholic” as associated to organizations which claim to be Catholic institutions (cf. can. 216 CIC);
6. Advise the Diocesan Bishop in all matters involving risks to public relations;
7. Advise the Diocesan Bishop in all matters involving lack of compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB);

III.      DIOCESAN ASSIGNMENTS: PROVISION FOR THE OFFICES OF EPISCOPAL VICARS

Very Reverend Nicholas Zrallack, V.E. – To Episcopal Vicar for Catholic Education of the Diocese of Palm Beach, while remaining Pastor of St. Clare Parish, North Palm Beach, and Parish Administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Riviera Beach, effective July 1, 2026.

Very Reverend Ducasse François, V.E. – To Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, Institutes of Consecrated Life and Seminarians of the Diocese of Palm Beach, while remaining Pastor of St. Juliana Parish, West Palm Beach, effective July 1, 2026.

Very Reverend Jaime Dorado, V.E. – To Episcopal Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Palm Beach, while remaining the head of the Mission of St. Juan Diego at St. Anastasia Parish, Fort Pierce, effective July 1, 2026. Effective January 1, 2027, the Episcopal Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis will become ex officio Director of the Office of Marriage, Family Life, Faith Formation and Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

Very Reverend Scott Adams, V.E. – To Episcopal Vicar for Financial Administration and Econome of the Diocese of Palm Beach, and to Episcopal Delegate to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Inc., and Episcopal Delegate for Catholic Cemeteries established or to be established by or within the Diocese of Palm Beach, while remaining Pastor of St. Martin De Porres Parish, Jensen Beach, effective July 1, 2026.

IV.      SPECIAL DIOCESAN ASSIGNMENTS

Ms. Gina-Marie Loree – To Chief Safeguarding Officer of the Diocese of Palm Beach, and to Episcopal Delegate for Clergy Monitoring of the Diocese of Palm Beach, effective July 1, 2026.

Very Reverend Noel McGrath – To Diocesan Director of the Office of Propagation of the Faith and Missionary Solidarity of the Diocese of Palm Beach, while remaining Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Stuart, effective July 1, 2026.

V.            PRIESTS: DEAN ASSIGNMENT

Very Reverend Nobert Jean-Pierre, V.F. – To Dean of the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Palm Beach, while remaining Pastor of St. Philip Benizi Parish, Belle Glade, effective May 29, 2026.

VI.      ASSIGNMENTS TO A DIOCESAN ADVISORY BOARD

The following persons are hereby appointed as ex officio and permanent members of the Diocesan Bishop’s Crisis Management Board –BCM– , effective immediately:

Very Reverend Charles E. Notabartolo, V.G. – Vicar General of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Very Reverend Antony Pulikal, V.E. – Episcopal Vicar for Strategic Planning, Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Very Reverend Scott Adams, V.E. – To Episcopal Vicar for Financial Administration and Econome of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Very Reverend Ducasse François, V.E. – Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, Institutes of Consecrated Life and Seminarians of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Ms. Gina-Marie Loree – Chief Safeguarding Officer of the Diocese of Palm Beach, and Episcopal Delegate for Clergy Monitoring of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Ms. Ana Jarosz – Director of the Office of Human Resources and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Ms. Jennifer Trefelner – Director of Communications of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Mr. J. Patrick Fitzgerald – General Counsel of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

I furthermore ask the Very Rev. Antony Pulikal, Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia and Episcopal Vicar for Strategic Planning of the Diocese of Palm Beach, to immediately start working on the implementation and execution of all provisions contained herein as indicated above.

Even though all offices and assignments indicated above become effective as of July 1, 2026, a solemn Mass of Installation is to be celebrated within ninety (90) days at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius of Loyola pertaining the diocesan offices appointed herein and on the decrees No. 004-2026 (dated May 28, 2026) and No. 005-2026 (dated May 29, 2026), especially Episcopal Vicars and Deans.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein. Issued and read, at the Office of the Diocesan Bishop, located at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, State of Florida, on the twenty-fifth day of the month of June, in the Year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-six.

Most Reverend Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, J.C.D.
Bishop of Palm Beach

Click here to download decree No. 005-2026 from Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez

DECREE

In the matter of:

DIOCESAN ASSIGNMENTS

No. 005-2026

Whereas, the Diocesan Bishop is entrusted with the pastoral care, governance, and administration of the particular Church committed to him according to the norm of law (cf. cann. 381 §1; 391 §§1-2 of the Code of Canon Law-henceforth CIC-);

Whereas, shortly after assuming the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Palm Beach, I unde1iook a process of consultation with the priests of the Diocese concerning the composition of the Priests' Assignment Advisory Board, and thereafter reconstituted said Board in order to assist me in matters pertaining to clergy assignments and pastoral planning: that Board now is composed by highly suitable clerics and lay persons from multicultural backgrounds, including three (3) women serving in diocesan leadership positions;

Whereas, I have carefully heard and considered the counsel of the Priests' Assignment Advisory Board of the Diocese of Palm Beach as part of the prayerful discernment leading to the assignments contained herein;

Whereas, the pastoral needs of the Diocese of Palm Beach and the spiritual welfare of the Christian faithful require that certain ecclesiastical offices and assignments be entrusted to suitable clerics for the good of souls and the effective fulfillment of the Church's mission (cf. cann. 383 §1; 394 §1; 519; 1752 CIC);

Whereas, priests and deacons are called to collaborate with their Bishop in the service of the People of God and to faithfully fulfill the ecclesiastical offices entrusted to them (cf. cann. 273; 274 §2; 275 §1 CIC);

Whereas, the formation of seminarians includes appropriate pastoral training and ministerial experience so as to prepare them for future priestly service to the People of God (cf. cann. 255; 258; 1025 §1 CIC);

Whereas, these diocesan assignments are made solely in view of the pastoral needs of the Diocese of Palm Beach, the good of the Christian faithful, and the salvation of souls, which in the Church must always be the supreme law (cf. can. 1752 CIC);

Whereas, the diocesan assignments listed herein are hereby established and ordered according to the norm of law;

Therefore, after prayerful reflection, consultation, and discernment, and exercising my lawful authority as Bishop of Palm Beach, I hereby decree the following:

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein. Issued and read, at the Office of the Diocesan Bishop, located at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, State of Florida, on the twenty­ ninth day of the month of May, in the Year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-six.

Most Reverend Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, J.C.D.
Bishop of Palm Beach