Successor named for Bishop John M. Smith, of NJ's Trenton Diocese

Bishop John M. Smith, 75, of the Trenton Diocese, in New Jersey, is slowly heading into retirement after his successor was named by Pope Benedict XVI weeks ago. Yet, it will not be until July 2011 that Bishop Smith formally steps away from his office, to be replaced by the Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, 55.

Rev. O'Connell is the former president of the Catholic University of American, in Washington D.C., and officially becomes the bishop once Bishop Smith retires. He will take the helm of a diocese comprised of 111 parishes in Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington and Mercer counties.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to diversity, multiculturalism, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.