WHEELING -- Pope Benedict XVI has named The Very Rev. Kevin Michael Quirk, J.C.D., J.V., Judicial Vicar and Assistant to the Bishop for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, a Chaplain to His Holiness, entitling him to be addressed as Monsignor. Bishop Bransfield presented this honor to Msgr. Quirk during a special announcement today in Wheeling.

“Pope Benedict XVI has offered a wonderful gift to Msgr. Quirk and to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston,” Bishop Bransfield said. “For 11 years, Msgr. Quirk has offered loyal and trusted leadership in Chancery administration, particularly while serving both the Tribunal office and the Bishop’s office for six years under my predecessor, Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt, and during my first five years in the diocese. I am very pleased that the Holy Father has chosen to recognize Msgr. Quirk for his many accomplishments.”

A pontifical honor conferred exclusively upon secular or diocesan priests in recognition of their dedication and exemplary service to the Church, monsignors are honorary members of the Pontifical Family, appointed by the pope himself. There are three grades of monsignor in the Catholic Church: Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary, Prelate of Honor to His Holiness and Chaplain to His Holiness.

In addition to his outstanding service in diocesan administration, Bishop Bransfield nominated Msgr. Quirk for this pontifical honor in recognition of his extensive record of service with Good Shepherd Nursing Home; Wheeling Hospital, where he is currently the President of the Board of Directors; and as Rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling.

“This is a great honor for me personally and as a priest,” Msgr. Quirk said. “Recalling the life and ministry of Msgr. Thomas A. Quirk, whose love for the Church, devotion to his people and hard work have always been an example to me, I sincerely thank Bishop Bransfield for nominating me for this honor. It is a privilege to assist in some small way in His Excellency’s pastoral ministry to the faithful of Wheeling-Charleston. I also thank Bishop Schmitt for having ordained me to the priesthood and having sent me to further studies, which I hope I have been able to use in service of the Church in West Virginia.”

Msgr. Quirk is a descendant of Msgr. Thomas A. Quirk, a circuit-riding country priest who ministered principally in frontier communities in Lewis County and is buried at St. Bernard Cemetery in Loveberry.

A native of Arlington, Va., Msgr. Quirk is one of three brothers born to James and Jeannie Quirk. He earned Bachelor’s degrees in both Theology and Philosophy from Wheeling Jesuit University; Master’s degrees in both Divinity and Theology from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio; and a License plus Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1993, by Bishop Schmitt at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Upon ordination, Msgr. Quirk served as associate pastor of St. Michael Parish from 1993-94. Following his studies in Rome, Msgr. Quirk was named Judicial Vicar for the diocese in 1998 with a pastoral assignment as chaplain to West Liberty University and Bethany College. He was appointed the rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in 2005.

Msgr. Quirk is a knight in the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and is member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the international Jesuit honor society; Phi Sigma Tau, an international honor society for studies in philosophy; the Canon Law Society of America; and Catholic Scholars.

Msgr.Quirk is immediately entitled to all the rights and privileges that come with this honor. A liturgical celebration is being planned for late October at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.