01-12-26 – Bishop Mark Brennan has made public the following appointments:

Very Rev. John Rice, V.G., V.F., is appointed as a member of the College of Consultors. His five-year term will begin on December 31, 2025, and expire on December 31, 2030. This is in addition to his current assignments as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Vicar Forane of the Parkersburg Vicariate, and Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Parkersburg and St. Monica Mission in Lubeck.

Very Rev. Sebastian E. Devasya, V.E., is reappointed as a member of the College of Consultors. His five-year term will expire on December 31, 2030. This is in addition to his current assignments as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Parkersburg.

Msgr. Dean Borgmeyer is reappointed as a member of the College of Consultors. His five-year term will expire on December 31, 2030. This is in addition to his current assignment as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Huntington.

Very Rev. Carlos Melocoton, V.F., is reappointed as a member of the College of Consultors. His five-year term will expire on December 31, 2030. This is in addition to his current assignments as Vicar Forane of the Wheeling Vicariate and Pastor of St. Michael Parish in Wheeling.

Very Rev. Leonard Smith, V.F., is reappointed as a member of the College of Consultors. His five-year term will expire on December 31, 2030. This is in addition to his current assignments as Vicar Forane of the Beckley Vicariate and Pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Beckley.

Father Gerald Muoka is appointed as a member of the College of Consultors. His five-year term will begin on December 31, 2025, and expire on December 31, 2030. This is in addition to his current assignment as Pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Follansbee.

Father Dennis Schuelkens, Jr. is reappointed as a member of the College of Consultors. His five-year term will expire on December 31, 2030. This is in addition to his current assignment as Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish and Sacred Heart of Mary Parish in Weirton.

Father Arul Anthony is appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Agnes Parish in Shepherdstown with residence at the parish rectory, effective January 12, 2026.

Father Jose Manuel Escalante is appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Franklin and St. Mary Parish in Petersburg, effective January 12, 2026. This appointment is in addition to his current assignment as Pastor of Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Moorefi eld. His place of residence will not change.