By Catholic Philly Staff Report • Posted September 25, 2023

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, commissioned ten new Missionaries of Mercy with their mandate from the Holy See at Vespers in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday, September 24.

Missionaries of Mercy are available, upon invitation, to help facilitate pastoral initiatives that focus on conversion and divine mercy, with a particular attention given to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They have also been given the authority of the Holy Father to absolve in his name certain sins that are ordinarily only forgiven by the Pope. These specific types of sins are commonly known as sins “reserved to the Holy See.”

SEE MORE >>>> Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Commissions Ten New Missionaries of Mercy with Mandate from The Holy See

In December 2015, Pope Francis called for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2015, to direct attention and actions “on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives.”

In addition, Pope Francis commissioned Missionaries of Mercy, a select international group of over 1,000 priests to serve in (Arch)Dioceses around the world. Locally, Pope Francis commissioned one Archdiocesan priest, Reverend Monsignor George A. Majoros, as a Missionary of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Although the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy concluded on November 20, 2016, the Holy Father extended the mandate of the Missionaries of Mercy until further notice as a sign that the graces of the Jubilee of Mercy continue.

In June 2023, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Pope Francis appointed 10 new Missionaries of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In total, the Holy Father has commissioned 11 missionaries for the local Church as a visible expression of the mercy of God, which is at the heart of the priesthood and all of Catholic life.

The ten new Missionaries of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are:

• Reverend Kenneth C. Brabazon, Pastor of Saint Isidore Parish in Quakertown (Bucks County);
• Reverend Matthew D. Brody, Pastor of Saint Richard Parish in Philadelphia (South Philadelphia);
• Reverend Monsignor Francis J. Depman, Pastor of Saint Rocco Parish in Avondale (Chester County);
• Reverend Peter J. DiMaria, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bridgeport (Montgomery County);
• Reverend Monsignor Paul V. Dougherty, Pastor of Saint Margaret of Antioch Parish in Narberth (Montgomery County) and Chaplain of the Deaf Apostolate;
• Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. Duncan, Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Malvern (Chester County);
• Reverend Douglas M. McKay, Rector of the Malvern Retreat House in Malvern (Chester County) and Chaplain of Our House Ministries in Philadelphia (Grays Ferry);
• Reverend Augustus C. Puleo, Faculty Member and Director of the English Language Program and Spanish Program (ESL) at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood;
• Reverend Christopher B. Rogers, Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Kennett Square (Chester County); and
• Reverend Charles Zlock, Pastor of Saint Raymond of Peñafort Parish in Philadelphia (Cedarbrook).

Q&As with the Missionaries of Mercy will be forthcoming on Catholic Philly.

A replay of the commissioning can be viewed via the Archdiocesan Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/867680938.