Diocesan Priest Assignments

This summer, some priests will take up new posts around the Diocese of Tucson.

Effective July 1:

Chancery:

Fr. Ed Lucero to Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, while remaining Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson. Fr. John Arnold will remain a Vicar General as well, assisting the Bishop in general administration of the Diocese. 

Parochial Vicars:

Fr. Rajeev Bobba to Saints Peter & Paul in Tucson
Fr. Richard Rivera to St. Elizabeth Anne Seton

Pastors:

Rev. Ramonito Celestial to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Willcox, with missions of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Bowie and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in San Simon. 
Fr. Jose Maria Corvera to Immaculate Conception Parish in Ajo
Fr. John Ikponko to Sacred Heart Parish in Parker with missions of St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Poston, Queen of Peace in Quartzsite, and St. John the Baptist in Wenden
Fr. Peter Nwachukwu to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Superior
Fr. Rudolf “Rudy” Ofori to St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Wellton with mission in Dateland.
Fr. Mark Stein to Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Florence (with limited Sacramental responsibilities at area prisons/detention centers)

In Residence:

Fr. Gregory Okafor to Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma while in Clinical Pastoral Education program at the Yuma Regional Medical Center

Retirements:

Rev. Arthur Espelage, OFM
 

At this time, Franciscan leadership has enacted the following transfers, effective June 6:

Fr. John Gibbons, OFM, to Pastor of San Solano Missions, Topawa, AZ      
Bro. David Paz, OFM, to San Xavier del Bac Missions, Tucson, in active retirement  
Fr. Ponchie Vasquez, OFM, to Pastor of San Xavier del Bac Mission in Tucson     
Fr. Bill Minkel, OFM, to San Solano Missions, Topawa, AZ       
Bro. Bob Brady, OFM, to ministry outside the Diocese of Tucson     
Fr. Martin Ibarra, OFM, assigned to residence at San Xavier del Bac Mission in Tucson, AZ