EDISON PARK — The pastor of St. Juliana Church will step down July 1 after being tapped by Archbishop Blase Cupich to serve as one of his top advisers, officials said Wednesday.
The Rev. Steve Kanonik said he accepted the position as moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of Chicago after a "great deal of prayer and soul-searching."
"I'm saddened to be leaving St. Juliana Parish, and with so little warning and preparation," Kanonik wrote in a message posted on the church's website.
However, Kanonik wrote that he was excited to help Cupich "decentralize the archdiocese" and give parishes "more freedom to be innovative and creative."
"I'm truly looking forward to the challenge," Kanonik wrote.
Heather Cherone explains how the parish might change with new leadership:
Kanonik will be in charge of the archdiocese's day-to-day operations.
In a statement, Cupich said he was pleased Kanonik had accepted the position.
"This large and complex organization needs a talented and steady hand to oversee both our operational performance and our adherence to our mission of service to the people of the archdiocese," Cupich said.
Kanonik said he was especially sad to be leaving St. Juliana, 7400 W. Touhy Ave., as the church launches a multiyear effort to raise funds for the parish, to fund scholarships, expand school programs and enhance education and church ministries.
"I'm a little envious of my eventual successor, to be stepping away at a time of such exciting growth for our parish," Kanonik said.
When a pastor steps down or is reassigned, a temporary administrator is typically named to lead the parish for a year or less, said Susan Burritt, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese.
The archdiocese's Episcopal Council and its Priests' Placement Board will make a recommendation to Cupich on who should replace Kanonik, according to the archdiocese's policies.
In addition, the staff of St. Juliana as well as parishioners will be consulted about "what they think the parish needs and the qualities that the new pastor will need," according to the archdiocese.
Pastors typically serve two six-year terms at a church before being reassigned, according to the archdiocese.
A priest since 1982, Kanonik became St. Juliana's pastor in 2005, taking over the Edison Park parish after 12 years as pastor of St. Ladislaus in Belmont Cragin.
Kanonik replaces The Rev. Clete Kiley, who was to have become the moderator of the curia this month, Burritt said. Kiley resigned to spend the two years before his scheduled retirement ministering to union members, Burritt said.
Kiley is the director for immigration policy for Unite Here, which represents hotel and restaurant workers. He will be responsible for developing immigration reform strategies with the union's leadership and members, according to the archdiocese.
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