Bishop Joseph A. Galante has appointed Sr. Catherine C. Darcy of the Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas as vice chancellor of the diocese and tribunal judge, effective Sept. 1, 2009.
Sister Catherine, 59, previously served as chancellor, judge and administrative director of the Tribunal of the Diocese of Las Cruces (1996-2003) and as judge of the Tribunal of the Diocese of Trenton (1991-96).
She serves as an adjunct professor of canon law in the Masters in Theology Program at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. and was the director of the Office of Service Learning there (2005-07). She was canon law instructor in a training program for permanent deacons in the Diocese of La Cruces (2001-03) and the Diocese of Trenton (1994-95). She also taught religion and mathematics at Notre Dame High School in the Diocese of Trenton.
In addition to her canonical and educational experience, Sister Catherine coordinated short and long range planning processes and assisted in the development of the diocesan pastoral council for the Diocese of Las Cruces. She also served in various parishes in the Diocese of Trenton as pastoral associate. While in Trenton, she served as a consultant to their diocesan synod implementation committee (1992-96).
She also has served on social justice committees in both her religious congregation and diocesan assignments, including working on migration concerns at the U.S./Mexico border and assisting in a diocesan-wide process that led to a pastoral letter on domestic violence by Most Reverend Ricardo Ramírez, C.S.B., Bishop of Las Cruces.
She has been published on the canonical dimensions of religious life and social justice concerns and has completed a broad range of post-doctorate continuing education, including sabbatical studies on trade issues, globalization, community organizing and the Spanish Studies program at the Universidad Internacional, Cuarnavaca, Morales, Mexico.
Sister Catherine has her J.C.D. from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (1993), a Ph.D. in Canon Law from the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (1992), and a J.C.L. from The Catholic University of America (1989). She also has a masters in pastoral studies from Loyola University of Chicago (1983) and a B.A. in Mathematics from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, N.J. (1972).
She professed Perpetual Vows as Sister of Mercy on April 2, 1978 at Mount Saint Mary, Watchung, N.J.
“Sister Catherine comes to the Diocese of Camden with a wide range of canonical, educational, administrative and pastoral experience,” said Bishop Joseph Galante. “I am grateful that she will bring her great insight and skill to bear on matters of great importance to the diocese and the Catholic people of South Jersey.”