PORTLAND---Bishop Robert P. Deeley has named two new vicars forane to fill vacancies in Vicariate III and Vicariate VI.
Fr. Francis P. Morin, administrator of St. Michael Parish in Augusta, has been appointed vicar forane for Vicariate III (St. Michael Parish; Christ the King Parish, Skowhegan; St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, Camden; All Saints Parish, Brunswick).
Fr. Philip A. Tracy, pastor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford, has been appointed vicar forane for Vicariate VI (St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish; Holy Spirit Parish, Wells; St. Matthew Parish, Limerick; Parish of the Ascension of the Lord, Kittery).
A vicar forane is appointed by the bishop to promote and coordinate common pastoral activity in his vicariate and to provide spiritual and pastoral counsel to the other priests in that region. The vicar forane ensures that clerics and parishes in his vicariate perform their duties diligently and collaborate for the good of the vicariate and diocese. The term “vicar forane” comes from Latin, meaning a representative (vicarious) who is outside (foras). In essence, representing the bishop outside of the cathedral city (Portland).
The Diocese of Portland has six vicariates. The other vicars forane in the diocese are:
Fr. Jean-Paul Labrie, VF Vicariate I
(St. John Vianney Parish, Fort Kent; Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish, Madawaska; Our Lady of the Valley Parish, St. Agatha; St. Peter Chanel Parish, Van Buren; Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou; St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton; St. Agnes Parish; Island Falls)
Fr. John R. Skehan, VF Vicariate II
(Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, East Millinocket; St. Benedict Parish, Benedicta; St. Leo the Great Parish, Howland; St. Mary of Lourdes Parish, Lincoln; Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Dexter; St. Agnes Parish, Pittsfield; St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Calais; St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor; St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias; Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bar Harbor; Stella Maris Parish, Bucksport; St. Joseph Parish, Ellsworth; Holy Family Parish, Greenville; St. Anthony Parish, Jackman; Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Old Town)
Fr. Robert D. Lariviere, VF Vicariate IV
(Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Auburn; Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston; Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Sabattus; Holy Trinity Parish, Lisbon; Holy Savior Parish, Rumford; St. Joseph Parish, Farmington; St. Rose of Lima Parish, Jay; Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Oquossoc; Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Norway; St. Joseph Parish, Bridgton)
Fr. Louis J. Phillips, VF Vicariate V
(Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Portland; St. Peter Parish, Portland; Sacred Heart/St. Dominic Parish, Portland; St. Christopher Parish, Peaks Island; St. Louis Parish, Portland; St. Bartholomew Parish, Cape Elizabeth; St. John and Holy Cross Parish, South Portland; St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Scarborough; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Westbrook; St. Anne Parish, Gorham; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Windham; Parish of the Holy Eucharist, Yarmouth; Our Lady of Hope Parish, Portland)