Father John Fahnestock, MSC was appointed Vicar Forane for the High Desert Vicariate and Father Benedict Nwachukwu was appointed Vicar Forane for the West End Vicariate. The new vicars will serve in their posts for a period of four years, through June 2017.
A Vicar Forane is a priest who presides over a grouping of parishes, which in the Diocese of San Bernardino is referred to a vicariate.
Both priests will continue serving in their parish assignments. Father Fahnestock is currently assigned as parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish, Hesperia. Father Nwachukwu will continue to serve as pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Rancho Cucamonga.
During the Annual Priests’ Convocation held in Temecula, Sept. 17-19, four priests were elected to the Presbyteral Council, a group of priests that serves as a consultative body to the Bishop on matters relating to parish assignments and other pastoral issues.
Father Manny Cardoza and Father Len Krzywda, CR, were elected at-large. Father George Gonzalez was elected by retired priests and Father Oscar Reynoso was elected by priests up to 10 years ordained.
The Presbyteral Council also saw the election of three council officers. Father David Andel, JCL, was re-elected chair of the council. Fr. Reynoso was elected vice chair of the council and Fr. Cardoza was elected secretary.