Pope Francis has appointed the Very Reverend Kurt Burnette, Rector of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as fifth Bishop of the Eparchy of Passaic. Burnette replaces Archbishop William Skurla who was translated to the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh on April 18, 2012 when he was enthroned Fifth Metropolitan of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church of America and Archbishop of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
According to Vatican published statistics, this eparchy has “Catholics 14,729, priests 80, permanent deacons 26, religious 27.” The Eparchy of Passaic was established by the Holy See on July 31, 1963.
Bishop-elect Kurt will be ordained and enthroned in Passaic on Wednesday, December 4, 2013.
The Holy Father has also appointed Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla as Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Passaic. The Reuthenian eparchies number 4 in the USA.