Bishop Pohlmeier Announces New Appointments
May 2, 2023 • Diocese of St. Augustine

From the Office of the Bishop – May 1, 2023

Bishop Erik Pohlmeier is pleased to announce the following priest appointments for the Diocese of St. Augustine.

Effective June 1, 2023:

Rev. Rodolfo Godinez – appointed parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Jacksonville, for a three-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as parochial vicar of San José Parish in Jacksonville.

Effective June 3, 2023:

Rev. Manuel Puga – appointed parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Chiefland, for a three-year term.

Effective July 1, 2023:

Rev. Matthew Ibok – from administrator to pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, St. Augustine, for a six-year term.

Rev. Edwin Omorogbe – appointed parochial vicar for San Juan del Rio Parish, St. Johns, for a three-year term. He has also been appointed a judge in the Tribunal, for a three-year term.

Rev. Wilson Colmenares – from administrator to pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Chiefland, for a six-year term.

Rev. Marek Dzien – appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Fleming Island, for a six-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Madeleine Sophie Parish in High Springs and San Juan Mission in Branford.

Rev. Bernardine Eikhuemelo – appointed pastor of San Sebastian Parish, St. Augustine, for a six-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Pius V, Crucifixion and Holy Rosary parishes in Jacksonville.

Rev. Mike Elias – appointed administrator of St. Pius V, Crucifixion and Holy Rosary parishes, Jacksonville. He is relieved of his responsibilities as parochial vicar of Holy Faith Parish in Gainesville.

Rev. Sebastian Garcia – appointed parochial vicar of San José Parish, Jacksonville, for a three-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Fleming Island.

Rev. Blair Gaynes – appointed pastor of St. Augustine Parish, Gainesville, for a six-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Jacksonville and director/chaplain of Campus Ministry at the University of North Florida.

Rev. Sebastian George – appointed pastor of St. Madeleine Sophie Parish, High Springs, for a six-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Jacksonville.

Rev. Clayton Ludwig – appointed parochial vicar of San Juan del Rio Parish, St. Johns, for a three-year term in addition to his duties as the vocation director.

Rev. Dilip Pally, MSFS – appointed administrator of St. Monica Parish, Palatka. He is relieved of his responsibilities as parochial vicar at San Juan del Rio Parish in St. Johns.

Rev. David Ruchinski – appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Jacksonville, for a six-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Augustine Parish and director of the Catholic Student Center in Gainesville.

Rev. Eric Stelzer – appointed administrator of St. Michael Parish, Fernandina Beach. He is relieved of his responsibilities as parochial vicar of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Rev. John Gillespie – appointed to senior priest status. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of San Sebastian Parish in St. Augustine.

Rev. Jose Kallukalam – appointed to senior priest status. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Fernandina Beach.

Rev. Michael Pendergraft – appointed to senior priest status. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Fleming Island.

Rev. Ismael Navarro – appointed parochial vicar of San Sebastian Parish, St. Augustine, for a three-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as parochial vicar at Christ the King Parish, Jacksonville.

Rev. Leonard Chuwa – from administrator to pastor of St. Paul Parish, Jacksonville, for a six-year term.

Rev. Jan Ligeza – from administrator to pastor of St. Edward Parish, Starke, for a six-year term.

Rev. Cesar Torres-Pinzon – appointed pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Live Oak, for a six-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chiefland.

Rev. Anthony Basso – appointed pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Interlachen, for a six-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Live Oak.

Rev. Pablo Fuentes – appointed parochial vicar of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Live Oak, for a three-year term. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Interlachen.

Rev. Nicholas Bennett – appointed administrator of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Jacksonville, and director/chaplain of Campus Ministry at the University of North Florida. He has been relieved of his responsibilities as parochial vicar at San Juan del Rio Parish in St. Johns.

Rev. Heriberto Vergara – appointed part-time parochial vicar at Most Holy Redeemer and Sacred Heart parishes in Jacksonville with residence at Most Holy Redeemer, for a three-year term.

Rev. John Peter Arul, MSFS – appointed administrator of Holy Spirit Parish, Jacksonville.

Rev. Briggs Hurley – begins a medical leave of absence, immediately.

Rev. Amar Nath Nagothu, MSFS – appointed to a new assignment outside of the Diocese of St. Augustine for the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Jacksonville.

Rev. Anthony Bonela, MSFS – appointed Provincial Superior of the USA Vice-Province on June 6, 2022. Father Bonela will assume his duties in Atlanta, Ga. on July 1, 2023. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Monica Parish in Palatka.