Hampton Beach Priest Named Prelate of Honor by Pope

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has elevated six priests of the diocese of Manchester to be Prelates of Honor to His Holiness on February 14, 2013. The Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, after prayer and careful consultation, petitioned Pope Benedict XVI to elevate the six priests.  Pope Benedict XVI named them soon after he announced that he would be resigning the Chair of Peter and has given them the title “Reverend Monsignor”.

Two of the priests had held the title, Chaplain to His Holiness, and now will be titled Prelate of Honor. The remaining four priests will be immediately named Prelate of Honor

The priests who were Chaplain to His Holiness and now are Prelates of Honor to His Holiness are:

Reverend Monsignor Charles Edward Crosby was born on May 8, 1931 in New York City, New York and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Manchester on June 29, 1956.   He completed his priestly studies at the Grand Seminaire, St. Brieuc, France.  He received the title of “Chaplain to His Holiness” on December 22, 1970. As a retired priest he continues to serve in parishes as needed.   During the summer months, since 1982, he has served as the Rector of St. Patrick Mission Church at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire.

Reverend Monsignor Donald Joseph Gilbert was born on June 28, 1941 in Claremont, New Hampshire and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Manchester on May 18, 1968.  He completed his priestly studies at St. John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts.  Monsignor Gilbert received his Licentiate in Canon Law (JCL) on May 15, 1989.  He received the title of “Chaplain to His Holiness” on April 30, 1990.  In 2008, as a retired priest, he was appointed Judicial Vicar pro tem.   He was recently re-appointed as the Judicial Vicar.   He also does supply ministry every weekend in a parish.  

The following four priests were not currently Monsignors but have been elevated to Prelate of Honor:

Reverend Monsignor Daniel Oscar Lamothe, V.F. was born on April 27, 1936 in Keene, New Hampshire and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Manchester on May 26, 1962.  He completed his studies at the American College in Louvain, Belgium and at the University Seminary in Ottawa, Canada.  Currently he is the pastor of Parish of the Holy Spirit in Keene and Mary, Queen of Peace in Hinsdale.  Between these two parishes he has five worship sites.  He currently is the Dean of the Monadnock Deanery. 

Reverend Monsignor Charles Edward DesRuisseaux was born on August 13, 1934 in Manchester, New Hampshire and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Manchester on June 26, 1960.  He completed his studies at the American College in Rome and at the University of Louvain, Belgium and received his Masters of Arts in Religious Education.  He retired in 2009 but has remained active by celebrating Mass for the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary and also in parishes on weekdays and weekends when called upon to assist.  Since his retirement he has been appointed as Diocesan Coordinator for Retired Priests, as Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer and currently is Secretary of the Presbyteral Council. 

Reverend Monsignor Eddy Normand Bisson was born on August 1, 1940 in Berlin, New Hampshire and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Manchester on May 18, 1968.  He completed his studies at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.  Since 2004, as a Senior Priest, he has been serving in multiple parishes as Temporary Administrator, when a parish becomes temporarily vacant.  He also currently serves part-time as Chaplain to St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Bishop Bradley Senior Living Community in Laconia.

Reverend Monsignor Gerald Robert Belanger was born on April 11, 1949 in Nashua, New Hampshire and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Manchester on May 17, 1975.   He completed his studies at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.  Currently he is pastor of Divine Mercy Parish in Peterborough.

The title of “Monsignor” is a title of distinction given by the Pope to priests in the Roman Catholic Church as part of a papal honor recognizing the priest’s service to the Church. The diocesan bishop nominates candidates for the honor and submits the names, biographies and information to the Holy See.  The Holy Father then, if he wishes, confers the honor on the priest.  Once decided by the Pope, the Vatican Secretariat of State issues a diploma designating the new title and rank and recognizing the newly-made monsignor’s service to the Church.

Since 1968 there have been only three levels or types of “Monsignors” in the Church.  They are as follows in ascending order:

The first and basic level is known as “Chaplain to His Holiness”.  The second level is known as “Prelate of Honor to His Holiness”.   The third and highest level is known as “Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary”.   Being a Monsignor is not an appointment as much as it is an honorific award granted by the Pope, usually at the request of a bishop.

A special installation ceremony with Vespers will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 6:00 PM at St. Joseph Cathedral in Manchester presided by Bishop Peter Libasci, Bishop of Manchester.

Information submitted by the Diocese of Manchester