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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 | October 11, 2024
Bishop David Bonnar assigned Rev. Francis Muriithi to ministry effective September 30, 2024 starting a five-year term of service in the diocese.
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:
Clergy Official | December 18, 2025
Bishop Bonnar is announcing the following Clergy and Personnel Assignments: “As we await the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I wish you his peace and joy. I also extend to you my sincere and heartfelt gratitude for all that you do for the good of this local Church. I want to share with you some personnel updates.”
Clergy Assignments
With great joy, I am happy to announce that Father Michael Balash will be returning to active ministry on January 1, 2026, to continue his role as Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, Hubbard. I am sure that you will join me welcoming Father Balash back to active ministry. I am relieving him effective immediately of his responsibilities as Vicar of Clergy, Director of Seminarians, Director of Vowed Religious, and Director of the Office of Worship. I want to personally thank Father Balash for his exemplary work in these areas.
I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Father James Korda for his presence at Saint Patrick Parish as Administrator Pro-Tern during Father Balash’s absence. Father James Korda is relieved of his temporary duties as of January 1, 2026. I also want to thank the other priests who supported this parish during this time.
At the same time, effective immediately, I am appointing the Very Reverend John Michael Lavelle, D.Min. as Vicar of Clergy, Director of Seminarians, and Director of Vowed Religious. Father Lavelle will continue his responsibilities as Pastor of Saint Michael Parish, Canfield as well as Vicar of Missionary Discipleship and Development and Curator of the Patrimony. I am relieving Father Lavelle of his responsibilities as Diocesan Director of Communications.
Monsignor John A. Zuraw, JCL, VF will now, effective immediately, assume as Vicar General leadership over all Diocesan Communication efforts in addition to his duties as Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica/Saint Anthony Parish, Youngstown and Administrator Pro Tern of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Boardman. Monsignor Zuraw maintains his role as Promoter of Justice for the Diocese.
I am appointing the Very Reverend John E. Sheridan, JCL, VF as Director of the Office of Worship effective immediately. This is in addition to his responsibilities as Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, Massillon and Saint Philip and James Parish, Canal Fulton. Father Sheridan continues his role as Adjunct Judicial Vicar.
Father Stephen Zeigler, who was originally assigned to begin Sacramental Ministry for Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, will now instead become Parochial Vicar at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Boardman.
Personnel Assignments
Effective July 1, 2026, following the completion of a degree in theology, Mr. Craig Ziobert will become part-time Associate Director of the Office of Worship.
I am grateful to Sister Mary Stephany Rose, OSHJ who will assist Fr. Lavelle on an ad-hoc basis with some of the diocesan events sponsored by the diocese for the vowed religious.
