FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2013 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Stefanie Gutierrez 917-587-2784 sgutierrez@diobrook.org
The Most Reverend Ignatius A. Catanello, Titular Bishop of Deultum and Retired Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, died after a lengthy illness on Monday, March 11, 2013.
The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, praised Bishop Catanello’s long service to the Church. “For 47 years, ‘Bishop Iggy’ as so many fondly knew him as, faithfully served the people of the Diocese of Brooklyn. In the last few years, as he struggled with illness, Bishop Catanello identified with Christ. I ask the people of the Diocese ofBrooklyn to join me as we pray for the repose of his soul. Bishop Catanello’s favorite phrase was, ‘OK pal.’ I know that he is OK now.”
Bishop Catanello lived and served in the Diocese of Brooklyn his entire life. The son of the late Nicholas and the late Mary (DeFalco) Catanello and the brother of Deacon Joseph Catanello, he wasborn on July 23, 1938. He was a parishioner at Most Holy Trinity parish, Williamsburg, where he attended the parish elementary and high school. He studied for one year at the seminary of the Order of Recollects of St. Augustine in Kansas City, Kansas, and then spent three years at Cathedral College, Brooklyn.
He graduated from St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, and attended Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington. Father Catanello was ordained May 28, 1966, by Archbishop Bryan J. McEntegart at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.
He earned two master’s degrees from St. John’s University and a doctorate in religious studies from New York University. He was an adjunct professor of theology at St. John’s University. He served as an assistant pastor at St. Rita’s, Long Island City, 1966-76; St. Helen’s, Howard Beach, 1976-81; St. Ann’s, Flushing, 1981-87; and Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge, 1987-88.
In June 1988, he was named an Episcopal Vicar for Queens South with residence at Holy Family rectory, Flushing. He was named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II in 1989. From 1991 to 1994, he was principal-rector of Cathedral Prep Seminary, Elmhurst.
St. John’s University honored him twice, with its President’s Medal in 1975 and an honorary doctorate of law in 1989.
Bishop Catanello was ordained an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Brooklyn on Aug. 22, 1994, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica, Sunset Park, by Bishop Thomas V. Daily. Principal co-consecrators were Auxiliary Bishops Joseph M. Sullivan and Rene A. Valero.
His appointment as bishop came along with that of former Auxiliary Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, who now serves as bishop ofPalm Beach, Fla. Bishop DiMarzio will serve as main celebrant of the Funeral Mass; Bishop Barbarito will serve as homilist.
As an auxiliary bishop, he served as Vicar for Clergy and Vicar for Consecrated Life and Apostolic Organizations.
Other pastoral work in which he was involved included parish and ecumenical ministry, drug rehabilitation counseling andleadership in clergy associations. He spent nearly a decade as chairman of the diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Commission and was president of the Priests Senate.
Pope Benedict XVI accepted the retirement of Bishop Catanello in September 2010. Bishop Catanello, who was 72 at the time, requested retirement for reasons of health. Normally, bishops offer their resignations at the age of 75. The resignation also applied to his role as pastor of Holy Family parish, Flushing, where he had served as pastor since January 2007.