ROME—The Congregation for Clergy in Rome has appointed the Reverend Msgr. Thomas W. Powers, a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, and currently vicar general of the diocese as the 24th rector of the Pontifical North American College effective July 1, 2022. The appointment of Msgr. Powers comes upon the completion of a six-year term of the current rector, the Very Reverend Peter Harman.
Monsignor Powers grew up in Newtown, Conn. He attended Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn., and the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., where he earned a degree in economics. After graduation, Msgr. Powers worked as a financial consultant with Andersen Consulting in New York and then, in 1991, spent one year performing volunteer work in Puerto Rico through the Center for Social Concerns of the University of Notre Dame.
He began formation for the priesthood at St. John Fisher Seminary in Conn. before entering the Pontifical North American College in 1993, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a Licentiate Degree in Sacred Theology from the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Marriage and Family. Ordained a priest on May 24, 1997, Msgr. Powers served in various assignments in his home diocese and then began service to the Holy See in the Congregation for Bishops in 2005. He served there for ten years, residing at the North American College, and assisting the formation of faculty as an adjunct spiritual director. He returned to the Diocese of Bridgeport in 2015, where most recently he served as vicar general and moderator of the curia, as well as pastor of St. John Parish in Darien, Conn.
Bishop Robert Deeley, chairman of the Board of Governors of the College and Bishop of Portland, Maine, noted, “Msgr. Powers is extremely well-suited to serve as our next rector, given his extensive experience in seminary formation, his many pastoral skills, and his prior work in Church governance and administration. We are very grateful for his acceptance of our nomination.”
Bridgeport Bishop Frank J. Caggiano commented, “I am not surprised at all that the board of governors of the Pontifical North American College has chosen Msgr. Powers to serve as rector. In my opinion, they could not have made a better choice. While we will miss him terribly in the Diocese of Bridgeport—both as vicar general and as pastor—I am pleased for the college.”
When asked about the appointment, Msgr. Powers stated, “Although serving as the next rector of the Pontifical North American College was neither something I ever expected nor sought, I am very grateful to be asked to take on this important role. In accepting the appointment, I ask the Lord to grant me the grace to fulfill this role faithfully, and I entrust myself to Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Humility.”
Very Reverend Peter Harman expressed his support for the appointment as well. “Msgr. Powers is a talented, generous, faithful and holy priest. I cannot think of a better example and Spiritual Father for the men in priestly formation here at the North American College.”
The Pontifical North American College serves as the American seminary for diocesan clergy in Rome. Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pius IX, the college has formed over 5,000 priests near the heart of the Church for service in dioceses around the United States, Canada, and Australia. The College strengthens the bonds between Rome and local Churches worldwide, and it allows its students to study the Church’s rich religious and cultural heritage at close range. It currently serves over 200 men studying for the priesthood and priests pursuing graduate studies in Rome.
(To view Msgr. Powers’ photo and biography, visit: www.pnac.org.)
