Father Gary Franken to replace Father Joseph Nguyen Aug. 11
By Agnieszka Krawczynski
The B.C. Catholic

The Archbishop of Vancouver has chosen a new vicar general.

Father Gary Franken is stepping up to the task of being the right-hand man of Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB.

“Father Franken has graciously accepted to undertake this ministry to our local church,” Archbishop Miller wrote June 23.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with Father Gary in such a critical role.”

Father Franken grew up in St. Mary’s Parish in Vancouver and attended St. Thomas More High School in Burnaby. He followed the call he first heard when he was about 11 years old, going to St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ont.

The young motorcycle enthusiast took a two-year break in the middle of his undergraduate studies, during which he lived in a L’Arche community and reached out to people with intellectual disabilities.

After getting a Master of Divinity degree, he went on to receive a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in Dogma and a diploma in Spirituality from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Father Franken was ordained in 1989. He was the archdiocesan vocations director from 1997-1999, was the temporary administrator of Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre, and has served as pastor or assistant pastor at many parishes: Immaculate Conception in Delta, St. Francis de Sales, Star of the Sea, and Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Father Franken is currently the pastor of St. Anthony’s Parish in West Vancouver. He also serves on the archdiocesan pastoral and presbyteral councils, is the head of the North Shore Deanery, and has been the episcopal vicar for priestly life since 2011.

“His concern for the priests of the archdiocese is always evident, and I know he’ll bring that concern and compassion into this new role,” Archbishop Miller said.

“His friendly and open nature make him a wonderful fit for a position that comes with heavy demands.”

The vicar general’s position opened this month, when Pope Francis appointed Father Joseph Nguyen Bishop of Kamloops. Bishop-elect Nguyen had held that post since March 2013.

Father Franken will officially take up his new position Aug. 11.

He feels “a little overwhelmed, but also honoured and looking forward to working more closely with the archbishop.”