EDISON PARK — The former pastor of St. Benedict will lead St. Juliana for the next year, officials said Thursday.
The Rev. Steve Kanonik stepped down Wednesday as pastor of St. Juliana Church after being tapped by Archbishop Blase Cupich to serve as one of his top advisers.
Kanonik will be replaced by the Rev. Robert Beaven, who retired in 2012 after serving as the pastor of St. Benedict Church in North Center, said Michelle Adamowski, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
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." He will be in charge of the archdiocese's day-to-day operations.
"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. But 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.
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 money 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.
The archdiocese's Episcopal Council and its Priests' Placement Board will make a recommendation to Cupich on who should become St. Juliana's next permanent pastor, 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.
Kanonik replaces the Rev. Clete Kiley, who was slated to become moderator of the curia last month. Kiley resigned to spend the two years before his scheduled retirement ministering to union members, officials 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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