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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.
Official Decree | September 21, 2024
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown is announcing the merger of Sacred Heart of Mary Parish and Saint Louis Parish.
Memorandum | September 11, 2024
This letter advises parish and school leaders of actions taken by the Diocese with respect to Scouting organizations.
Clergy Official | August 24, 2024
The following Clergy Assignments are effective September 2, 2024 unless otherwise noted. Priests: Agostino, Balash, Lavelle, Marneni, Rovnak. Deacons: Smith.
Official Decree | July 28, 2024
Bishop David J. Bonnar is pleased to announce new spiritual benefits of a bond between Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica in Youngstown with the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
Clergy Official | June 30, 2024
Bishop David J. Bonnar is announcing new clergy and pastoral assignments in the Diocese of Youngstown. Priests: Balash, Kozlowski, Rovnak. Pastoral: Colucy.
Official Appointment | June 25, 2024
Bishop Bonnar appoints Mr. Dominic Colucy as Vice-Chancellor.
Clergy Official | June 17, 2024
Bishop Bonnar accepted the resignation of Reverend Michael A. Swierz. An investigation is ongoing.
Clergy Official | June 1, 2024
Bishop Bonnar announces the following Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2024: England, Marcelli, Bertleff, Wainio & Marneni.
Official Decree of Suppression | Missionary Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi
The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, has released the following decree regarding the Missionary Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Clergy Official | June 25, 2026
Bishop David J. Bonnar is announcing the following effective July 1, 2026:
Clergy Assignments – Priests
Reverend Bryan Tutas, RCJ to pastor of Guardian Angels Parish with worship sites at Saint Joan of Arc Church and Saint Joseph Church in Canton, Ohio.
Reverend Benson Okpara, Ph.D. is relieved of his duty as Administrator of Guardian Angels Parish. He remains Pastor of Saint Michael Parish, Canton and Diocesan Director of Extern Priests.
Reverend Edward Brienz is retiring effective July 01, 2026
Personnel Assignment
Mrs. Pattie Condello is relieved of her role as the Diocesan Pastoral Associate at Saint John the Baptist Basilica / Saint Peter Parish in Canton, Ohio. She remains Diocesan Pastoral Associate of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Canton, Holy Family Parish, Navarre and Saint James Parish, Waynesburg.
Clergy Official | May 23, 2026
Bishop David J. Bonnar is announcing the following Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2026:
Clergy Assignments – Priests
Very Reverend Chad Johnson to Chaplain at Cardinal Mooney High School. In addition to pastor of Saint Carlo Acutis Parish, Chaplain of Ursuline High School, and Dean of Columbiana County.
Reverend Frantisek Katrinak to Dean of Portage County. In addition to pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Mantua, Saint Ambrose Parish in Garrettsville, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Aurora and Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Streetsboro.
Reverend David Misbrener, D.Min. returning to active ministry. He will be a sacramental minister at Saint John Neumann Parish in Rootstown and Saint Katherine Drexel Parish with special attention to local nursing homes and hospitals.
Reverend John Rovnak relieved of duties as Chaplain of Cardinal Mooney High School and Youngstown State University Newman. He remains Parochial Vicar of Saint Patrick and University Newman Parishes in Kent and Immaculate Conception in Ravenna until June 30th. On July 1st, he will become part of the “In Solidum” team for Saint John Neumann and Saint Katharine Drexel Parishes in Portage County.
Reverend Willian Wainio to Priest Chaplain at Youngstown State University. In addition to the Diocesan Director of Vocations
Clergy – Announcement
Very Reverend William Kraynak is retiring and relieved of his duty as Dean of Portage County.
Decree | May 10, 2026
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, has released the following Decrees:
