The Most Reverend Luis Rafael Zarama, Bishop of Raleigh, is pleased to convey the following appointments and announcements.
Effective September 25, 2026
Dean
To fill the vacancy created by the transfer of Reverend Randy Gonzales, C.I.C.M., and after consultation with the priests of the Newton Grove Deanery:
Very Reverend Celso Tabalanza, C.I.C.M, V.F., Pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Goldsboro, is additionally appointed Dean of the Newton Grove Deanery.
Council of Priests
Upon receiving the results of the election for at-large members of the Council of Priests, the following diocesan and religious priests are appointed members of the council for a term of three years:
Diocesan Priests
- Reverend Mark J. Betti
- Rev. Msgr. David D. Brockman
- Rev. Msgr. Michael G. Clay
- Reverend Christopher S. Koehn
- Reverend Thomas S. Tully
Religious Order Priests
- Reverend Randy Gonzales, C.I.C.M.
- Reverend Timothy Kulbicki, O.F.M. Conv.
The full council membership now includes the above at-large members as well as the following:
Ex-Officio Members
- Very Reverend Michael Burbeck, Vicar General
- Rev. Msgr. John Williams, Vicar for Priests
- Very Reverend Javier Castrejon Flores, Vicar Judicial
College of Consultors
- Very Reverend Michael Burbeck, V.G.
- Reverend Paul Nicholas Cottrill
- Very Reverend Javier Castrejon Flores, V.J.
- Reverend John Durbin
- Very Reverend J. Victor Gournas, V.F.
- Very Reverend Scott McCue, V.F.
- Very Reverend Fernando Torres, V.F.
Deans
- Albemarle: Very Reverend John Hanley, O.S.F.S., V.F.,
- Cape Fear: Very Reverend John McGee, O.S.F.S., V.F.
- Fayetteville: Very Reverend Zacharie Tati, V.F.
- New Bern: Very Reverend J. Victor Gournas, V.F.
- Newton Grove: Very Reverend Celso Tabalanza, C.I.C.M., V.F.
- Piedmont: Very Reverend Rafael Leon, V.F.
- Raleigh: Very Reverend Scott McCue, V.F.
- Tar River: Very Reverend Fernando Torres, V.F.
Effective September 28, 2026
Reverend Francis P. Gillespie, S.J., a member of the Society of Jesus USA East Province, is appointed Senior Priest at Saint Bernadette Parish in Fuquay-Varina.
Reverend Anit Jacobs, M.S., Administrator of Saint Ann Parish in Edenton, is appointed Pastor of the same.
Reverend Nicholas Rapkoch, Administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Raleigh, is appointed Pastor of the same.
Announcements
Please join Bishop Luis in expressing your gratitude to the following priests for their ministry:
Reverend Randy Gonzales, C.I.C.M., for his service as Dean of the Newton Grove Deanery.
Reverend Giovanny Muñoz Muneton, O.S.F.S., Parochial Vicar at Holy Redeemer Parish in Kitty Hawk, who has been reassigned outside of the diocese by his community.
Reverend Steven DiMassimo and Reverend Tom Simisky, S.J. who conclude their terms on the Council of Priests.
Regarding Father Francis Gillespie
In 2021, Father Francis Gillespie, SJ, was removed from ministry in the Diocese of Raleigh following allegations of inappropriate behavior involving minors. The related civil lawsuits have since been dismissed, and a thorough investigation conducted in accordance with the province’s Ethics in Ministry policy found the allegations to be unsubstantiated. In light of these findings, Jesuit officials requested that Father Gillespie be cleared of all allegations and reassigned to ministry.
After the completion of the appropriate review and diocesan and canonical processes, including consultation with the Diocese of Raleigh Review Board, Bishop Luis has agreed to restore Father Gillespie to ministry in service to the Church.
Bishop Luis also expresses his gratitude to all who worked diligently on this process and is pleased to welcome Father Gillespie back to the Diocese of Raleigh.