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WASHINGTON (March 22, 1999) -- Pope John Paul II has appointed Father James P. Moroney, Executive Director of the Bishops' Secretariat for the Liturgy, as a Consultor to the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He is only the fourth person from the United States to be named as a Consultor to the Congregation.
The appointment became effective March 10.
Father Moroney has served as Executive Director of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops Liturgy Secretariat since September 1996. During his tenure, he has overseen the work leading to approval of a new Lectionary for Mass for use in the United States, as well as the completion of the Bishops' work on a new Sacramentary, the book of prayers and rites used for the celebration of the Mass. He joined the Liturgy Secretariat as associate director in February 1996.
Msgr. Dennis M. Schnurr, General Secretary of the NCCB, said the appointment is a "wonderful recognition of the skill and wisdom Father Moroney has demonstrated in his service to the Bishops' Conference. It is likewise an honor for the entire church in the United States."
From 1978 to 1980, Father Moroney worked for the International Commission on English in the Liturgy at the Commission's offices in Rome. He was ordained in 1980. He has served on and chaired the Diocese of Worcester's Liturgical Commission. He has been an active member of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC), and has served as the Chairperson of the FDLC Board of Directors. He also served several years as a parish priest.
Father Moroney earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a bachelor's degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1979. He also holds a licentiate in sacred theology from The Catholic University of America.