Four Priests honored by Benedict XVI
“I am very pleased to announce that Pope Benedict XVI has named Father C. Michael Padazinski and Father John J. Talesfore Chaplains to His Holiness, with the title of Monsignor,” Archbishop Niederauer said in a memo to all in the Archdiocese June 28, “and has named Father James E. O’Malley and Father James T. Tarantino Prelates of Honor to His Holiness, with the title of Monsignor.” The appointments take effect immediately, Archbishop Niederauer noted.
“Please join me in thanking these men, and all of our active and retired priests and deacons, for their important service to the people of this Archdiocese,” Archbishop Niederauer said.
Monsignor Talesfore has been ministering as Pastor of Saint Mary’s Cathedral since August 15, 2005; Monsignor Padazinski has been serving as Judicial Vicar since July, 2000; Chancellor since December, 2006; Vicar General pro tempore since July, 2008 and is a Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve. Following the retirement of Monsignor Harry Schlitt on June 30, 2010, Monsignor Tarantino will begin his full-time assignment as Vicar for Administration and Moderator of the Curia, after many years as Pastor of Saint Hilary Parish in Tiburon. Monsignor Jim O’Malley recently celebrated his 64th year of ordination and has been retired since 1993. He resides at Nazareth House in San Rafael, and has served the Archdiocese in many capacities – most notably as Pastor of Saint Kevin Parish from 1967 to 1993.
Monsignor is a title of distinction given by the Pope to certain priests as part of a papal honor recognizing service to the Church. The diocesan bishop nominates candidates for the honor and submits the names to the Holy See. The Holy Father then, if he wishes, confers the honor onto the priest. Once decided by the Pope, the Vatican Secretariat of State issues a diploma designating the new title and rank and recognizing the newly made monsignor’s service to the Church.
The Prelate of Honor to His Holiness was historically associated with the chamberlain of the papal court and today can also be conferred to priests outside of the papal court. A Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, during liturgies, wears a bishop’s choir cassock, which is fuchsia in color with red buttons, piping and cuffs, and a fuchsia sash. Prelates of Honor to His Holiness may also wear a bishop’s black cassock, which also has red buttons, piping and a fuchsia sash.
Chaplain to His Holiness can be conferred to priests inside or outside of the Roman Curia. A Chaplain to His Holiness wears a black cassock with fuchsia piping and buttons along with a fuchsia sash.
Priests who are given papal honors and thus named monsignors are considered to be members of the papal household. In 1969, the custom of Chaplains of His Holiness surrendering the title upon the death and burial of the conferring pontiff was suppressed. Today, all monsignors retain their titles upon the death and burial of a Pope.
The Archdiocese of San Francisco is comprised of San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties with a Catholic population of approximately 450,000 people. More than eight million Catholics live in California in 12 dioceses including Stockton, San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange, Fresno, Santa Rosa, Oakland, San Jose, Monterey, Sacramento and the Archdioceses of San Francisco and Los Angeles.
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Contact: Tom Burke (415) 614-5634
