Diocese of Saint John – April 21, 2026
The Most Reverend Christian Riesbeck, CC, Bishop of Saint John, announces the following clergy assignments, effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise noted.
Rev. Daren Bryk, CC, currently Revitalization Coordinator, is appointed Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Rev. David Fulton, currently Pastor of St. Barbara’s Parish, Minto and Chipman, is appointed Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Grand Bay-Westfield and Saint John.
Rev. Aaron Knox, currently Pastor of Saint-François-de-Sales Parish, Saint John, is appointed Pastor of Sainte-Anne-des-Pays-Bas Parish and Chaplain at St. Thomas University, Fredericton, effective June 1, 2026, while continuing to serve as Diocesan Vocations Director.
Rev. Dr. Michael McGowan, currently Chancellor of the Diocese of Saint John, will complete his service as Chancellor on December 31, 2026, and is appointed Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Saint John, effective January 1, 2027.
Rev. David Martin, currently Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Grand Bay-Westfield and Saint John, appointed Pastor of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Saint John.
Rev. Peter Melanson, currently Pastor of Sainte-Anne-des-Pays-Bas Parish, Fredericton, is appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Saint John on June 1, 2026, and will begin his service as Chancellor of the Diocese of Saint John on January 1, 2027.
Rev. Cornelius Ngurukwen, S.M.M.M., currently Pastor of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, Miramichi, is appointed Pastor of St. Barbara’s Parish, Minto and Chipman.
Rev. Sylvanus Omali, S.M.M.M. is appointed Pastor of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, Miramichi.
Rev. Pierre Émile Tchodo, on loan from the Diocese of Lokossa, Benin, is appointed Parochial Administrator of Saint-François-de-Sales Parish and Chaplain to the Saint John Regional Hospital and Saint Joseph’s Hospital, effective June 1, 2026.
Rev. Lawrence Hyginus, CC, currently Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, is being recalled by his Community. We wish him well in his new ministerial assignment in another diocese.
Msgr. Brian Sheehan, currently Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Saint John will enter retirement July 1, 2026. He will retire as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Saint John on December 31, 2026. We are grateful for his 60 years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Saint John and his availability for ongoing specialized ministry.