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Clergy Official | April 30, 2025
The following Clergy Assignments were announced by Bishop Bonnar and are effective July 1
Clergy Official | April 27, 2025
The following Clergy Assignments were announced by Bishop Bonnar and are effective July 1 unless otherwise noted
Official Decree | March 9, 2025
The Most Reverend David Bonnar has appointed Mrs. Christine McCue as Diocesan Pastoral Associate for the parishes of Trumbull North County.
Clergy Official | March 1, 2025
The following Clergy Assignments were announced by Bishop Bonnar on March 1, 2025: Keehner, Hetzel, Muriithi & McCaffrey.
Official Decree | February 4, 2025
The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar has designated four Sacred Jubilee Sites for pious pilgrimage or visit in 2025: the Cathedral of St. Columba (Youngstown), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica (Youngstown), Basilica of St. John the Baptist (Canton) and Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration (Canton).
Clergy Official | January 18, 2025
The following Clergy Assignments are effective January 18, 2025
Clergy Official | December 19, 2024
The following Clergy Assignments are effective January 1, 2025
Official Decree | November 22, 2024
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown is announcing the merger of Saint Mary Parish (Orwell) and Sacred Heart Parish (Rock Creek).
Official Decree | November 22, 2024
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown is announcing the merger of Saint Columba Cathedral Parish, Saint Edward Parish and Holy Apostles Parish.
Official Decree | November 22, 2024
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown is announcing the merger of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish and Saint Luke Parish.
Official Decree | November 22, 2024
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown is announcing the merger of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and St. Joseph Parish.
Official Appointment | October 28, 2024
Bishop David Bonnar accepts the retirement of Barbara Walko effective January 10, 2025 and appoints Margie Hynes as Director of Faith Formation and Lay Ecclesial Ministry, effective January 11, 2025.
Clergy Official | February 28, 2026
Bishop Bonnar is announcing the following Clergy and Personnel Assignments Effective March 2, 2026:
Priest Assignments
Reverend David Misbrener has resigned the Pastoral of Saint John Basilica / Saint Peter Parish, Canton and has requested a personal leave of absence. Bishop Bonnar has granted the personal leave of absence.
Very Reverend Kevin Peters, V.F., to Administrator Pro-Tem of Saint John Basilica / Saint Peter Parish, Canton. This is in addition to his pastoral role as Pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Canton, Holy Family Parish, Navarre and Brewster, and Saint James Parish, Waynesburg, and his diocesan responsibilities as Director of Rural Life and Dean of Stark County East.
Personnel Assignments
Mrs. Pattie Condello continues as the part-time Diocesan Pastoral Associate of Saint John Basilica / Saint Peter Parish, Canton, in addition to Diocesan Pastoral Associate of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Canton, Holy Family Parish, Navarre and Brewster, and Saint James Parish, Waynesburg.
Decree | February 19, 2026
David J. Bonnar
By the Grace of God and the Apostolic See
BISHOP OF YOUNGSTOWN
VIRTUS Annual Training (Download PDF)
For resources for parents & guardians in English & Spanish, please visit DOY.org/Safe-Environment
DECREE
Whereas, we the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown have a sacred obligation to safeguard children, young people, and vulnerable adults, the curricula of our Catholic schools and religious education programs, intended to supplement the requirements of the State of Ohio, already contain learning objectives to protect children from abuse, while also stressing the teachings of the Gospel with respect to human sexuality and morality.
Whereas, at the conclusion of the 2023 StoneBridge onsite audit, the auditors recommended that the diocese consider adopting a standardized safe environment program for children and young people across all our schools and parish religious education programs.
Whereas, in response to this recommendation the diocese began a process of consultation with neighboring dioceses and a review of multiple programs to ensure that this new initiative would be in accordance with best practices and only strengthen our commitment to safeguarding and to fulfilling Article 12 of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Whereas, the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children® program is a comprehensive curriculum that educates children and young people about boundaries, safe and unsafe behaviors, and healthy relationships, and the material is developmentally appropriate for each age group and is in line with Catholic theology and teachings.
Therefore, I decree that all the schools and parish religious education programs in the Diocese of Youngstown shall adopt and implement the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children® annual training program for all children and young people, effective immediately.
Given at the Diocese of Youngstown Chancery Office on this 19th day of February 2026.
David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown
Joan Lawson, Chancellor
Carolyn Wooten, Notary
Decree | January 17, 2026
DECREE
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, has released the following Decree:
