BRIDGEPORT—The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano has announced three key appointments to assist him in the administration and governance of the Diocese of Bridgeport. All three received appointment letters on June 1.
Reverend Robert M. Kinnally, pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan, has been appointed vicar general; Deacon Patrick Toole of Westport has been named chancellor, and Deacon William Santulli of New Canaan has been named vice chancellor. All three appointments will be effective on July 1, 2022.
“After deep prayer and deliberation in accord with the Code of Canon Law, I have made these appointments. I am grateful to the men for their willingness to assume this new responsibility in service to me and the faithful of the diocese. I ask for your prayers for them that they may be successful as we work together to renew the diocese,” Bishop Caggiano said.
Father Kinnally succeeds Msgr. Thomas Powers who accepted a post as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome in March. Deacon Patrick Toole replaces Father Kinnally, who has served as chancellor since 2014, and Deacon Santulli succeeds Father Juan Gabriel Acosta, who will be furthering his theological studies in Rome.
Father Kinnally will continue to serve as pastor of St. Aloysius parish in New Canaan, and Deacon Patrick Toole will continue to serve as episcopal delegate for administration as well as deacon assigned to St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull. Deacon Santullli will continue to serve as deacon at St. Aloysius Parish.
The vicar general is the highest official of a diocese after the bishop. He is legitimately deputed to share in diocesan administration and governance in the name of the bishop. The chancellor serves as advisor to the bishop in addition to overseeing the maintenance and order of the diocesan archives and the authentication of official diocesan acts.
The newly created office of vice chancellor assists the chancellor and includes faculties to issue nihil obstat for the celebration of weddings outside the diocese, permission for mixed marriages, and other dispensations.
Reverend Robert M. Kinnally, who was appointed vicar general today, was named chancellor of the Diocese of Bridgeport by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in June 2014, and pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan in February 2017. He has continued to serve in both posts.
Born and raised in Yonkers, New York, he spent his summers in Brookfield where he attended St. Joseph Parish. He graduated Iona Preparatory High School in New Rochelle and earned degrees in English from Manhattan College and New York University, and a degree in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America.
Father Kinnally was ordained by Bishop William E. Lori in 2005, after a distinguished educational career in which he was Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Stanford University. During his educational career, he also taught special education at Iona College and was an Admissions professional at Pace University, Purchase College, the University of Bridgeport, and Sarah Lawrence College, where he was also Dean of Admissions.
In the past, Father Kinnally served as diocesan Director of Vocations and Rector of St. John Fisher Seminary. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart University and as parochial vicar of St. Pius X parish in Fairfield.
A professional organist, pianist and vocalist, he served as music director and organist at parishes in Connecticut and New York prior to his ordination.
Deacon Patrick Toole of Westport, a retired IBM executive, was named episcopal delegate for administration (chief operating officer) of the Diocese of Bridgeport in January 2018.
He was ordained to the permanent diaconate in June 2011 and was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Fairfield until going to St. Catherine’s in 2015, where he continues to serve. He also serves as master of ceremonies for Bishop Caggiano and secretary to the diocesan curia.
Deacon Toole holds a master’s degree in business administration from Queens University of Charlotte, N.C. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and serves on the university’s College of Engineering advisory council. His extensive commitments include service as chairman of the board for the Center for Ignatian Spirituality of Fairfield University; and member of the board of directors of St. Joseph High School in Trumbull. Deacon Toole and his wife, Lyndy, who serves as a music minister at St. Luke Parish in Westport, are the parents of five grown children.
Deacon William A. Santulli of New Canaan was ordained to the permanent diaconate of the Diocese of Bridgeport by Bishop William E. Lori on Saturday, June 11, 2011, at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull. Since that time, he has served as deacon at St. Aloysius, his home parish. He serves as a deacon advocate to the tribunal and secretary to the diaconate council, and has worked with Deacon Patrick Toole on the parish reconfiguration process.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y, Deacon Santulli attended St. Thomas the Apostle in West Hempstead, N.Y., and Brooklyn Prep, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. and a master’s degree in finance from Columbia University. Deacon Santulli retired as chief financial officer of Salov North America Corporation which is the maker of Filippo Berio olive oil. He and his wife, Joanne, are the parents of two grown children.
