Msgr. Greg Kelly receives congratulations from colleagues at the Dallas Diocese Pastoral Center during a surprise party to celebrate his appointment to monsignor Feb. 25.
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Father Greg Kelly as a Chaplain to His Holiness, effective Feb. 1. Father Kelly will now have the title of Reverend Monsignor.
The pope grants the title to a member of the clergy after a request from the ordinary, in this case Bishop Kevin J. Farrell. Traditionally, requests for this title are made to the Holy Father for clergy in a prominent office or those with long and distinguished service. This title is the initial class of papal honors for the clergy.
Msgr. Kelly has served the Diocese of Dallas since his ordination in 1982, and he has served the church with distinction as associate pastor of All Saints Catholic Church in Dallas from 1982-1986; chaplain of the University of Dallas from 1986-1996, overlapping as vocations director for the Diocese of Dallas in 1995-96; and as founding pastor of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in McKinney from 1996-2008. Since 2008 he has served as the vicar for clergy of the Diocese of Dallas.
Currently, there are 11 monsignors who are active in the Diocese of Dallas, including three incardinated outside of the diocese. There are another 10 monsignors in the diocese who are retired.
“I am very happy and extremely proud that our Holy Father Pope Benedict chose to honor our Vicar for Clergy with this honor,” Bishop Farrell said. “Msgr. Kelly has faithfully served the church throughout his priesthood and as Vicar for Clergy he has been a tremendous help to me in assisting our priests, deacons and seminarians. In doing so, he has helped create a strong presbyterate and diaconate in the Diocese of Dallas.”
Msgr. Kelly said he was surprised when Bishop Farrell told him about the new title.
“I feel very grateful and honored and look forward to continuing the work with my brother priests,” he said.
Msgr. Kelly’s investiture as a Chaplain to His Holiness will be held after Easter.
