The Texas Catholic
Dallas Bishop Kevin J. Farrell has announced plans for the rector vacancy at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving.
Msgr. Greg Kelly, vicar for clergy for the Diocese of Dallas, will serve as interim rector for several months and will be succeeded by permanent rector Father James Edward Swift, CM. The position of rector of the seminary became vacant late last year when Msgr. Michael Olson was named by Pope Francis as the new bishop of Fort Worth.
Father Swift will take over administration of the seminary on June 1.
Father Swift was born in 1950 in Wichita, Kan. He graduated from St. Thomas College Seminary in Denver in 1973 and entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Mission in August of that year. He professed final vows in 1976 and was ordained a priest in 1978. He has advanced degrees in sacramental theology, liturgical research and systematic theology.
He has served in various administrative capacities, including as provincial superior for his religious order’s Midwest Province. His studies and work have included fundamental theology, Christology and Mariology, Eucharistic theology, liturgical theology and foundational sacramental theology. He also has worked with the spiritual formation of diocesan seminarians.
“We are grateful to Vincentian Community for generously allowing Father Swift to serve the seminary in the capacity of rector.” Bishop Farrell said in a letter to his fellow Texas bishops. “He is a priest of vast experience in priestly formation and in administration. Thank you for your continued support of Holy Trinity Seminary and the important work of formation for future priests to serve in our Dioceses.
