Good morning, folks! At Roman noontime today, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, named Fr. David O’Connell, outgoing president of the Catholic University of American and a Vincentian Father, as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton. As Coadjutor Bishop in Trenton, the Bishop-elect will succeed Bishop John Smith when the Holy Father accepts his resignation as Bishop.  Bishop-elect O’Connel will be ordained to the Episcopacy on July 30, 2010.

Below is the announcement from Bishop Smith:

Coadjutor Bishop-Elect O'Connell

When the Holy Father’s personal representative to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio, informed me that Pope Benedict XVI had appointed the Very Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. as Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton, I instantly knew that the future of the Diocese of Trenton would be in good and capable hands. A Coadjutor bishop comes to a diocese with the right of succession. That is he automatically becomes the bishop of the diocese upon the death or retirement of his predecessor. Coadjutor Bishop-elect David M. O’Connell will succeed me as Bishop of Trenton when the Holy Father accepts my resignation. Church law regulates that a bishop must submit his resignation to the Holy Father on his seventy fifth birthday. The Pope then decides when the resignation will be accepted and became effective. By God’s good grace and love, I will be seventy five on June 23 of this year 2010.

How blessed the Diocese of Trenton is to receive as coadjutor bishop, a priest of David O’Connell’s experience, scholastic depth, pastoral sensitivity and national reputation. A member of the Eastern province of the Congregation of the Missions ( the Vincentians) Coadjutor Bishop-elect O’Connell stepped down this year after completing twelve years as the President of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.