May 16, 2016 (Louisville, Ky.) – On Saturday, May 28, 2016, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. will ordain Deacons Wilfredo Fernandez and Sean McKinley to the diocesan priesthood for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville.  The ordination will take place at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 South Fifth Street. 

Deacon Luder Wilfredo Fernandez Panica, 34, is a native of Tarija, Bolivia. He is the son of Martin Fernandez and Sergia Panica, who live in Bolivia. Deacon Fernandez received his bachelor’s degree in Catholic Studies from Marian University (Bishop Bruté College Seminary) and his master of divinity degree from Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He will celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving at his parish, St. Joseph (1406 E. Washington Street, Louisville) on Saturday, at 4 p.m. and at St. Bartholomew Parish (2042 Buechel Bank Road, Louisville) on Sunday, May 29 at 11:15 a.m.  Deacon Fernandez has been assigned as associate pastor of the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, Ky. and St. Michael Parish in Fairfield, Ky.

Deacon Sean McKinley, 36, is a native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky and the son of Scott and Cindy McKinley. Deacon McKinley earned a bachelor of science in business administration in computer information systems from the University of Louisville and a master of divinity and bachelor of sacred theology degrees from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Deacon McKinley will celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving at his parish, St. James (307 W. Dixie Highway, Elizabethtown, Ky.) on Sunday, May 29, at 12:15 p.m. He has been appointed as the associate pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Louisville, Ky.

Wilfredo Fernandez and Sean McKinley will serve as diocesan priests for the Archdiocese of Louisville.  A bishop ordains diocesan priests, also called secular priests, for a particular geographical area called a diocese or archdiocese.  Diocesan priests usually serve in parishes, though they also serve in schools, hospitals, prisons, or diocesan offices, depending upon local needs.  Diocesan priests ordained for the Archdiocese of Louisville serve in the 24 counties in Central Kentucky that make up the Archdiocese.

Media wishing to interview either Deacon McKinley or Deacon Fernandez should plan on interviews after the ordination liturgy (at approximately 12:45 to 1:00 p.m.) or contact us for an interview in the days before the ordination.

For further Information call:
Cecelia Price: 585-3291
Gary Hermann on ordination day, 5/28: 457-3809 (c)

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