Father J. Brian Bransfield

WASHINGTON—Father J. Brian Bransfield, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has been named executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis.

The appointment will become effective in late Spring. Father Bransfield succeeds Msgr. Daniel Kutys, also a priest of Philadelphia, who is returning to the Archdiocese.

Msgr. David Malloy, USCCB General Secretary, thanked Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia for sharing the talents of both extraordinary catechists with the wider church.

"Msgr. Kutys has done extraordinary work in establishing the new Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis under the USCCB reorganization. His talents as an educator enabled him to explain church teaching and work with textbook companies to reach the highest standards in religious education," Msgr. Malloy said.

"In his short time at the USCCB, Father Bransfield has shown his talents in many areas as well," Msgr. Malloy said. "He is able to educate the public on church teaching, even through the media. During the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States, for example, he presented our teaching clearly in TV interviews and has been successful in communicating it on the Web and in print."

Father Bransfield, 41, was ordained a priest in 1994. After having served for several years as an associate pastor and theology high school faculty in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, he studied moral theology with a specialty in marriage and family at The Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Rome, and continued studies at its Washington campus, where he received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 2003, and the Doctorate in Sacred Theology in Moral Theology with a specialization in the theology of Marriage and Family in 2005.

Father Bransfield served on the faculty of the moral theology department of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, 2005-2007, where he taught Introduction to Sacramental Theology, Sexuality and Marriage in Catholic Teaching, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Practical Theological Concepts, Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, The Theological and Moral Virtues, and a seminar class on The Nuptial Mystery. He taught in both the college and theologate divisions of the seminary as well as the Religious Studies Division, The Catechetical Institute, and The Theological Institute for Priests.

In December, 2007, Father Bransfield joined the USCCB to work as a specialist in Evangelization and Catechesis. He has written and spoken regularly on issues related to evangelization and catechesis, including the Theology of the Body, Faithful Citizenship, the call of the Second Vatican Council for the renewal of moral theology, and the nature of the New Evangelization. Father Bransfield also serves as lead staff to the USCCB's Priority Task Force on Faith Formation and Sacramental Practice.

The Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis serves the Committee of the same name as well as the wider Conference in the tasks of evangelizing and catechizing both Catholics and those who might be interested in joining the Catholic Church. Staff in the office offer information and advice on the needs, trends and challenges related to proclaiming and teaching the faith. This includes helping bishops review and/or develop materials for religious instruction. The Committee also addresses matters relating to the missionary aspect of the Church and stewardship among Catholics.

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