by Tablet Staff
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Bishop Robert Brennan has appointed Father Peter Purpura, pastor of Our Lady of Hope in Middle Village, Queens, as the next chancellor for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
He will assume the post on Jan. 30 and will replace Msgr. Steven Aguggia.
“Father Peter Purpura has done a fantastic job working with me as a vicar, showing himself to be talented, dedicated, and engaged with the priests in the diocese,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement. “His broad background in Canon Law and his pastoral heart is the perfect combination to build upon what Msgr. Aguggia has already accomplished.”
The chancellor oversees the recording of ecclesiastical acts, decrees, and dispensations, manages diocesan records and archives, and advises Bishop Brennan on various matters, according to the diocese, which serves 1.5 million Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens, with 185 parishes, 65 elementary schools, and 15 high schools.
Msgr. Aguggia had been chancellor since 2020, while simultaneously leading St. Pancras Church in Glendale.
“I am very grateful to Msgr. Aguggia, who has remained as chancellor and stayed with me since I was installed as bishop in 2021, much past a normal transition period,” Bishop Brennan said. “Throughout this time, I know the effort he has put into this demanding role while taking good care of the faithful and the parish of St. Pancras.”
Father Purpura currently serves as the regional episcopal vicar for Queens West, in addition to leading Our Lady of Hope, where he will remain pastor until June 30. He served as vice chancellor from 2016 to 2023, and as rector of St. James Cathedral Basilica in Downtown Brooklyn from 2015 to 2019. Before that, he served many parishes in Brooklyn and Queens as a parochial vicar.
“I thank Bishop Brennan for his confidence in entrusting to me the important work of the chancellor,” Father Purpura said in a statement. “I hope that I can continue the great work of my predecessor.”
Ordained to the Priesthood on June 30, 2007, Father Purpura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. John’s University, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, where he later completed three years of doctoral studies in Canon Law.
Father Purpura also serves as chaplain for the New York City Fire Department, for the Bishop Thomas Vose Daily Council 17000 Knights of Columbus, and Queensboro Unico national chaplain.
Msgr. Aguggia has served in diocesan curial positions for 25 years, serving as vice-chancellor, judicial vicar, and chancellor. He will continue to serve as chancellor until the end of the month.
“I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve the diocesan curia for 25 years, seeing firsthand how our work serves the larger mission of the Church,” Msgr. Aguggia said in a statement. “It has been a privilege to support three bishops, Bishops Brennan, Nicholas DiMarzio, and Thomas Daily, as well as our priests, deacons, religious, and faithful in this mission.
“I look forward to seeing Father Purpura bring new energy and perspective to this important work.”