USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Pastor, Vocationist Priest Named Auxiliary Bishop of Newark

Pastor, Vocationist Priest Named Auxiliary Bishop of Newark

WASHINGTON (June 27, 2003) -— Father Edgar M. da Cunha, SDV, pastor of St. Michael's Parish, Newark, and Delegate for the United States of the Superior General of the Society of Divine Vocations, has been named Auxiliary Bishop of Newark and Titular Bishop of Ucres by Pope John Paul II.

The announcement was made by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio, in Washington, June 27.

Bishop-elect da Cunha was born in Riachao do Jacquipe Bahia, Brazil, August 21, 1957. He pursued his elementary, secondary and college education in Brazil. He entered the Society of Divine Vocations and did his theological and seminary formation at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mahway, and later earned a master of divinity degree.

He professed temporary vows February 11, 1975 at Sao Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, and perpetual vows February 11, 1979, in Newark. He was ordained a priest March 27, 1982, in St. Michael's Parish, Newark.

Following ordination he served as follows:

1982--1987: Vocation Director for the Society of the Divine Vocations;
1983--1986: Parochial Vicar, St. Nicholas, Palisades Park, New Jersey;
1986--1987: Administrator, St. Nicholas, Palisades Park, New Jersey;
1987--1994: Pastor, St. Nicholas, Palisades Park, New Jersey;
1994—2000: Master of Novices and Director of House of Formation SDV, Florham Park, New Jersey;
1998—2000: Secretary of the Council of the Delegation of the Society of Divine Vocations;
2000-- Pastor, St. Michael's Church, Newark, and Superior of the religious community;
2000 -- Delegate for the United States of the Superior General of the Society of Divine Vocations.

According to the National Catholic Directory, the Archdiocese of Newark covers an area that includes 2,809,267 persons, with 47 per cent of them, 1,319,558 people, Catholic. The archdiocese includes 234 parishes.