What’s a monsignor? Including those newly named, 34 of the archdiocese’s 400-plus active and retired diocesan priests hold the title of “monsignor,” of which there are three ranks. The newly named monsignors are designated at the first rank of “Chaplain to His Holiness.” The next two ranks, which are rare, are “Honorary Prelate” and “Protonotary Apostolic.” Though the title carries no additional theological significance — as a bishop would, for instance — it is generally seen as a badge of honor and is given in appreciation and recognition of the service a priest has rendered both locally and abroad. In most cases, recommendations for the title are given to the pope by the local bishop.

DETROIT — Eight priests with ties to the Archdiocese of Detroit have been given the honorary title of “monsignor” by Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron announced Dec. 27.

Seven of the priests currently serve in the archdiocese, and the eighth, Msgr. Ronald T. Browne, serves as moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Marquette. Msgr. Browne, 56, served previously as judicial vicar for the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Metropolitan Tribunal and was ordained here in 1991.

The other seven priests are Msgr. John F. Hall, Msgr. Timothy D. Hogan, Msgr. Michael G. Hrydziuszko, Msgr. H. Thomas Johnson, Msgr. Russell E. Kohler, Msgr. Gary T. Smetanka and Msgr. Daniel J. Trapp.

“The eight priests honored by Pope Benedict XVI have given the Church many years of faithful service in fulfilling a variety of pastoral responsibilities,” Archbishop Vigneron said in a statement. “In that they represent the whole Detroit presbyterate, this recognition honors all of our priests for their generous self-sacrifice in working in communion with the Holy Father and the College of Bishops to share Christ with those to whom they have been sent.”

A prayer service in honor of the occasion is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 23 in the chapel of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, with a reception to follow.


Msgr. Browne said it was “quite a surprise” when he was informed of the honor: “Archbishop Vigneron had phoned Bishop (Alexander) Sample to ask him to inform me personally, and when he told me Dec. 19, my recognition was, ‘Oh, my gosh! The world really is going to end on Dec. 21.’”

He said he feels fortunate to have received the honor in recognition for hard work on behalf of the Church, and that it will encourage him to continue doing what he can to serve. “But I can think of a hundred other hardworking priests that would be worthy of it,” he added.

Msgr. Browne has been on loan to the Marquette Diocese, but he said he will be returning to the Detroit Archdiocese on July 1, though he does not know what his new assignment will be.

Msgr. Johnson, 61, pastor of St. Kieran Parish, Shelby Township, expressed his gratitude to the pope and Archbishop Vigneron, adding that the honor was an “acknowledgement of the fidelity of the parishioners and staff of St. Kieran Parish and those who have mentored me over the years, both priests and laity.”

“I have been blessed with the prayers and support of my family and friends, most particularly the love and wisdom of my mother, Barbara,” said Msgr. Johnson. “I am grateful for the fraternity of my brother priests and in a special way for the ministry provided by our senior priests who serve with such dedication.”

Msgr. Johnson also serves on the archdiocesan College of Consultors, Finance Council, and St. John Center Board of Directors. He was ordained in 1978.

Msgr. Hrydziuszko, 61, pastor of the archdiocese’s largest parish — St. Andrew, Rochester — also thanked the pope and archbishop and called the appointment a “truly special ‘gift’ at this time of Christmas.”

“More so, I believe it to be an honor to and for all the wonderful individuals who have helped me and worked with me in my ministry over the years, and for all the wonderful people at the parishes I have been blessed to shepherd,” said Msgr. Hrydziuszko (pronounced RA-dis-co), who also is a member of the College of Consultors and chairman of the clergy ownership committee for the Changing Lives Together capital campaign. He was ordained in 1995.

Msgr. Trapp, 54, who serves as pastor of St. Augustine & St. Monica Parish, Detroit, and as professor and spiritual director for the School of Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, said he was “surprised” by the announcement, and also “grateful for the recognition of the parish and the seminary.”

Msgr. Hogan, 61, is currently the archbishop’s vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life and also serves as a weekend assistant at St. Regis Parish, Bloomfield Hills. Msgr. Hogan has served at several parishes — most recently as pastor of Holy Family, Novi, until 2011 — and as chaplain for the U.S. Navy. He was ordained in 1982.

“It was a great surprise and a wonderful Christmas gift from the archbishop and the Holy Father,” said Msgr. Hogan. “I am most grateful for the archbishop’s confidence in my ministry and his generosity. Please God I will continue to serve faithfully.”

Msgr. Smetanka, 56, is currently pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Grosse Pointe Woods, and is chairman of the Worship Commission and coordinates priest funerals for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He was ordained in 1982. Msgr. Smetanka said his first reaction was a “simple but profound ‘wow.’”

“I flashed back to the faith and values instilled by my grandparents and parents and the inspiration and support of many priests, religious, fellow staff colleagues and parishioners who have been instrumental in my priestly ministry,” he said. “I hope that many will respond to the Lord’s call to discipleship and pray that many others will respond to the call to serve the Church through a religious vocation or lay ecclesial ministry.”

Msgr. Hall, 84, is a senior priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit who has served at 10 parishes and as a hospital chaplain since his ordination in 1955, in addition to helping as administrator and weekend assistant at several other parishes. His most recent pastorate was at St. Richard Parish, Westland, until 1998. Msgr. Hall now serves as a spiritual director for seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

Msgr. Kohler, 69, is pastor of two of the city of Detroit’s most iconic parishes, Ste. Anne de Detroit and Holy Trinity. He was ordained in 1973 and has served as chaplain to hospitals, law enforcement agencies and the Apostleship of the Sea.