The Diocese of Greensburg has chosen a longtime priest who served as right-hand man to two bishops as diocesan administrator as it waits for the Pope to appoint a new bishop.

Monsignor Larry J. Kulick will handle the day-to-day administrative duties of the diocese.

He was elected Tuesday by the College of Consultors, an advisory body of priests.

A Leechburg native, Kulick is stepping into a role unfamiliar to the Diocese of Greensburg, which has not had a top administrator other than a bishop in many years.

When Bishop Anthony Bosco retired in 2004, he continued to serve as diocesan administrator until the appointment of his successor, Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt.

When Brandt retired in 2014, he continued to handle administrative duties until he was replaced by Bishop Edward C. Malesic.

Pope Francis this summer appointed Malesic as bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. Malesic was installed in that position Monday.

“This is the first time in the history of the (Greensburg) diocese that we have a vacancy that isn’t related to retirement or death,” Kulick said.

Kulick is very familiar with the administrative tasks at hand. He served as vicar general under both Brandt and Malesic.

The vicar general assists the bishop with administrative tasks, serving as a liaison to various diocesan departments and parishes.

Kulick said he wants to keep the diocese on a steady course as it waits for Pope Francis to appoint a new leader.

“I think we’re all called, in all of our vocations, to be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us,” he said.

As for when a new bishop may be coming, Kulick said his guess is no better than anyone else’s.

“That’s probably the $50,000 question that everyone asks, and is interested in,” he said. “There’s really no way of knowing.”

Kulick is the pastor of St. James Parish in New Alexandria. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1992, and became vicar general in 2012, according to the diocese.

“I know the Holy Father will send us a very good bishop,” he said. “We are very anxious to receive our new bishop, and we will patiently await his coming.”

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