Florida Catholic | New judicial vicar brings ‘vast experience’ to diocese

New judicial vicar brings ‘vast experience’ to diocese

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 09.12.08

Franciscan Father Arthur Espelage is the new judicial vicar for the Diocese of Venice. “This is a real opportunity for me and a great place to be.”

VENICE | Father Arthur Espelage has taken over the task of being the judicial vicar of the Diocese of Venice.

Father Espelage, a Franciscan of the Order of Friars Minor, was appointed as head of the diocese Tribunal office where he will act as chief diocesan judge, primarily overseeing marriage cases but also addressing issues of procedure, the sacraments and other matters from Bishop Frank J. Dewane.

He most recently served at the heart of the legal workings of the church as executive coordinator of the Canon Law Society of America in Washington, D.C., for a 10-year term.

“I believe the law needs to be carefully obeyed because there are responsibilities and rights involved,” he said. “The law must be applied as pastorally as possible.”

Bishop Dewane said the Diocese of Venice is blessed to have Father Espelage.

“He brings with him vast experience in church law and familiarity with the issues of the day,” Bishop Dewane said.

Father Espelage added that he found the Diocese of Venice an appealing place for the next phase of his career. “This is a real opportunity for me and a great place to be.”

He replaces Father John Dolciamore, who retired after 20 years on Sept. 1. Father Dolciamore will continue to serve the diocese as judicial vicar emeritus.

Father Espelage was ordained in Dayton, Ohio, in 1971 and is professed to the Order of Friars Minor, Province of St. John the Baptist in Cincinnati.

During his term with the Canon Law Society of America, an organization of experts in church law, he helped guide the U.S. Catholic Church through a variety of legal challenges while interpreting the norms established by the bishops.

Espelage said it is important for canon law to uphold the dignity of the human person. “Our decisions must be imbued with the teachings of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate judge.”

While at the Canon Law Society he wrote numerous papers and opinions about canon law. In addition to the being a member of the American Canon Law Society, he is a member of societies in Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, and Australia and New Zealand.

Born in Cincinnati, he has a bachelor’s degree from Duns Scotus College in Southfield, Mich. He earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Dayton, and a Master of Divinity from St. Leonard Seminary in Dayton. He earned a law degree in 1979 from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and received his Doctor of Canon Law from Catholic University in 1989.

During his ministry, he served as assistant director of the Christian Development Program at St. Catherine Indian School in Santa Fe, N.M.; lector in canon law at St. Leonard Major Seminary, Defender of the Bond and then judge in the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati; judicial vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe; assistant professor of canon law at Pontifical College Josephinium in Columbus, Ohio; adjunct judicial vicar then judicial vicar of the Diocese of Columbus; and then judge in the Tribunal and parish priest in the Diocese of Palm Beach before going to the Canon Law Society.

He will also serve as priest-in-residence at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice and his office is at the chancery.

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