The College of Consultors of the Diocese of Gary has elected Rev. Michael J. Yadron, Pastor of St. Thomas More in Munster, to serve as Diocesan Administrator until Pope Francis appoints a new bishop to the diocese.
As required by canon (Church) law, the College of Consultors must elect an administrator within eight days of the diocesan see being vacant, which occurred when Bishop Donald J. Hying was installed as Bishop of Madison in Wisconsin on June 25.
Father Yadron will continue in his ministry as pastor of St. Thomas More while serving as administrator for the Diocese of Gary.
Shortly after being elected as administrator, Father Yadron celebrated Mass for the intention of the people of the Diocese of Gary, with the College of Consultors and diocesan pastoral staff, where he expressed his commitment to collaborate while serving from “behind the scenes.”
“The faithful can be assured that canon law provides for the absence of a bishop,” Father Yadron explained. “Immediately upon the vacancy of the see, the College of Consultors were empowered to oversee diocesan operations. As the administrator, it becomes my responsibility to make certain the diocese continues to function until a new bishop is named.”
According to Canon Law 427, a diocesan administrator has the obligations and most of the power of a diocesan bishop. The administrator is to help the diocese function as it has been under the previous diocesan bishop and to refrain from innovations. The principle guideline for the administrator is continuity.
The qualifications for a diocesan administrator include being a priest who is older than 35 and is outstanding in doctrine and prudence. As administrator, the priest must reside in the diocese.
Father Yadron was born in East Chicago, and attended St. Mary Parish in Griffith. He was educated at St. Meinrad College in St. Meinrad, Ind. and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Illinois. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1983 at Holy Angels Cathedral in Gary, Bishop Andrew G. Grutka presiding. His assignments have included: chaplain & director, Camp Lawrence, Valparaiso (1983); curate, St. John Bosco, Hammond (1983); instructor, Bishop Noll Institute, Hammond, IN (1983); associate director, CYO (1984); director, Camp Lawrence (1984); temporary administrator, Ss. Monica & Luke, Gary (1984); curate, St. John Bosco, Hammond (1984); chaplain, Carmelite Home for Boys, Hammond (1985); instructor, Bishop Noll Institute, Hammond (1985); administrator, Holy Trinity, Gary (1986); pastor, Holy Trinity, Gary, (1986); chaplain, Indiana State Prison, Michigan City (1991); temporary Associate Pastor, St. Mary, Griffith (1994); pastor, St. Maria Goretti, Dyer (1994); pastor, Queen of All Saints, Michigan City (1994); director, Diaconate Formation (1998); and pastor, St. Thomas More, Munster (2003 to present).
Regarding the interim period Father Yadron shared, “I have every confidence that the diocesan pastoral staff, College of Consultors, priests, religious, deacons and laity will come together to pray and work as we await the pope’s announcement of the fifth bishop of Gary.
Members of the diocesan College of Consultors are: Rev. Brian D. Chadwick; Rev.Douglas J. Mayer, Dean of Porter Deanery; Rev. Charles A. Mosley, Dean of Gary/North Lake Deanery; Rev. Jon J. Plavcan; Rev. Ian J. Williams, Dean of Laporte/Starke Deanery; and Rev. Michael J. Yadron, Dean of South Lake Deanery.