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WASHINGTON (June 4,1998) -- Father Daniel J. Kutys, Philadelphia archdiocesan Director of Religious Education, has been named Executive Director of the Office for the Catechism of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB).
Father Kutys, 43, succeeds Father John Pollard who has been named Director of the Department of Education of the Archdiocese of Chicago, effective August 15.
The appointment of Father Kutys was announced by Msgr. Dennis M. Schnurr, NCCB General Secretary.
"The outstanding work done by Father Kutys in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia demonstrates an abundance of pastoral and administrative skills," Msgr. Schnurr said. "I am very pleased that he is joining the Conference staff and extremely grateful to His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua for releasing him for service at the NCCB."
"Once again the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been honored by the selection of one of its priests to serve the wider Church," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "In each of his assignments in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Father Daniel Kutys has given freely of his priestly zeal, and of his personal gifts and capabilities. I am confident that Father Kutys will bring to this new position his characteristic priestly enthusiasm, as well as his wealth of experience in our communities, parishes and schools. We wish Father Kutys every grace and blessing as he prepares to take up this new post."
Born in Darby, Pennsylvania, in 1954, Daniel J. Kutys was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 17, 1980. He studied at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary where he earned a B.A. in Philosophy and a Master of Divinity degree.
Father Kutys was Parochial Vicar at St. Gabriel parish, Norwood, from 1980 to 1984 and Parochial Vicar at St. Cecilia parish, Philadelphia, from 1984 to 1987. His additional responsibilities at that time included hospital ministry.
From 1987 to 1993 Father Kutys was on the faculty of St. James High School in Chester.
Father Kutys was appointed Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education in 1993. That office administers, among other things, the religion curriculum for grades Pre-K to 12 (schools and parish programs), the review of catechetical texts, education in theology for elementary teachers and parish catechists, the Martin de Porres Foundation (for African-American Catholics), and catechetical efforts in the Hispanic community.
Other activities include Field Auditor for the Metropolitan Tribunal (since 1992), Associate Spiritual Director at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (since 1994), and reviewer for the Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism (since 1996).
Father Kutys is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association and the Pennsylvania Conference of Catechetical Leadership.
The Executive Director of the NCCB Office for the Catechism has primary responsibility for providing staff support to the ad hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Under the supervision of an Associate General Secretary, the Executive Director provides consultation on catechetical, theological and pastoral issues and oversees the management of projects within the Office of the Catechism.
The director also serves as the liaison between the ad hoc Committee and the publishers of catechetical materials and the national Catholic educational, catechetical organizations, keeping abreast of catechetical and theological developments, providing consultation to the General Secretariat and other Conference entities on matters related to the office.
The U.S. Bishops' ad hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is chaired by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein of Indianapolis.