Boston Archdiocese Gets New Vicar General

A Massachusetts native who has been serving in the Vatican has been named a top aide to Boston Archdiocese Cardinal Sean O'Malley.

Monsignor Robert Deeley was named Tuesday Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the archdiocese. Since 2004, the Belmont native has been assigned to the Vatican in the office of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In Boston, he succeeds the Very Rev. Richard M. Erikson who will participate in the Institute for Continuing Theological Education of the Pontifical North American College beginning in September.

Erikson tells The Boston Globe that the vicar general is like a lieutenant governor and chief of staff, overseeing daily operations of the archdiocese.

Deeley called his appointment "an honor and a privilege" during an important time in the church.