MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino has announced new dates for the ordinations to the priesthood of Diocese of Madison seminarians Chad Droessler and John Putzer and transitional deacons Jorge Miramontes and Tim Renz.
Droessler and Putzer have completed their studies at the American College of the Immaculate Conception, the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, and will be ordained as transitional deacons in October in Belgium. Their ordination to the priesthood has now been set for Friday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison.
“It is a unique circumstance when seminarians complete their academic formation earlier than the expected four years, and in fact, I do not generally favor such an approach,” the bishop said in his letter to priests and seminarians August 13. “However, it has happened in both of these cases, and given our need for good priests in the diocese, I am more than ready to pursue the possibility that the Lord seems to be offering us in welcoming two new priests — even before Christmas.”
The bishop confirmed that special circumstances surrounded the decision, but they were not related to health problems or difficulties. The decision was made after much consultation with Msgr. Ross A. Shecterle, rector of the American College in Louvain, and with experts in canon law to confirm that the decision is canonically correct, the bishop said.
“But most of all, in prayer I have come to be very much at home with this decision for reasons that transcend the earlier meeting of real needs,” the bishop stated. “So, John and Chad will both receive parish assignments for the New Year, and this will help us significantly to address the priest-power problems that we face day-in and day-out.”
Because of the earlier ordinations of Droessler and Putzer, the priesthood ordinations of transitional deacons Jorge Miramontes and Tim Renz have been moved earlier to May 6, 2011. They were ordained deacons on May 28 this year.
The transitional diaconate ordination for two additional seminarians of the Diocese of Madison is currently scheduled for May 27, 2011.