Priest named auxiliary bishop of Dallas Diocese

By Monica Hernandez
WFAA
December 16, 2015

http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/local/dallas-county/2015/12/16/dallas-priest-named-auxiliary-bishop-of-dallas-diocese/77423804/

Longtime Dallas Priest Gregory Kelly speaks out on his new role as auxiliary bishop

DALLAS – Pope Francis made an exciting announcement for Dallas Catholics Wednesday morning.

The Vatican announced that long-time Dallas Priest Monsignor John Gregory Kelly has been named a bishop, and will serve as one of two auxiliary, or assistant, bishops in the Dallas Diocese.

Bishop Kevin Farrell held a news conference Wednesday morning at the Dallas Diocese to celebrate the announcement, calling it "an early Christmas gift."

It's clear that Kelly is already well-loved in Dallas. The news conference was packed with people who have worked with him in his 34 years serving as a priest for the Dallas Diocese.

Kelly, 59, began his remarks Wednesday morning with a sense of humor, joking that he got a call from Washington last week, and should have known not to answer.

The Dallas Diocese said the naming of another assistant bishop shows the Vatican recognizes the exponential growth in the Dallas Diocese.

It has grown from roughly 180,000 Catholics 30 years ago to 1.3 million today.

The Diocese attributes much of that growth to new businesses relocating to North Texas, particularly in Collin County, and an influx of immigrants from South and Central America.

A University of Dallas alum, who has served as Vicar of the Clergy since 2008, Kelly said he is thrilled to stay in Dallas.

"I just always felt so welcomed by the people here and also challenged to continue to grow as a priest," said Kelly.

"Pope Francis is very aware of the great growth of the diocese," said Farrell. "I've had blessing to be able to speak to him on two occasions about the growth of the diocese."

Kelly will be ordained as bishop on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in downtown Dallas.

Farrell also answered questions about Pope Francis' upcoming visit to Mexico, saying the Dallas Diocese has no concrete plans yet, but he's certain bishops will travel to hear the Pontiff's remarks.

Farrell also asked for compassion for the unaccompanied minors who recently arrived in North Texas.