Describing his journey from priestly ordination to becoming auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 17 years, Bishop Keith J. Chylinski gives a hearty laugh.
“God is full of surprises,” he said. “I would’ve never imagined the whole path that I’ve been on.”
Bishop Chylinski’s path to becoming a bishop ran right through the Arlington diocese, and it was fitting that Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, who previously served as rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa., and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, laid hands on him as a co-consecrator during his Mass of ordination March 7 at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. Auxiliary Bishops Christopher R. Cooke and Efren V. Esmilla also were ordained in the same Mass.
All three new bishops are being celebrated in the diocese of Arlington. “God is most assuredly at work within the church. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, three outstanding bishops have been chosen and elevated,” said Father Charles C. Smith, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Warrenton.
“I know not only Bishop Cooke as my classmate, but Bishop Chylinski, who was my Apostolate Partner for a year at the seminary,” said Father Smith. “I always felt that not only Bishop Cooke, but also Bishop Chylinski would make excellent bishops, even back in the seminary.”
“I was honored to serve as co-consecrator for the three new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,” said Bishop Burbidge. “I was rector at St. Charles Seminary when Bishop Chylinski and Bishop Cooke were in formation and am blessed to call them and Bishop Esmilla dear friends. In these three new bishops, the Lord has given his church good, holy, faithful and gifted shepherds.”
Bishop Chylyinski has been rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary since 2022 and Bishop Cooke serves as the dean of men. Bishop Esmilla was the pastor of St. James Church in Elkins Park and St. Martin of Tours Church in Philadelphia as well as the chaplain to the Filipino Apostolate.
The role of a co-consecrator, dating to the Council of Carthage in the late fourth century, is a “liturgical norm in the life of the church,” according to Bishop Burbidge. “There have to be at least three bishops to ordain.”
“I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me,” said Bishop Chylinski about Bishop Burbidge’s participation. “I’ve always had so much respect, esteem and love for him. To have him there was such a gift. He’s been a great example and friend to me over all these years.”
Bishop Chylinski remembers the two years (2012-14) he spent earning a master of science degree in psychology at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences in Arlington, now Divine Mercy University, as being crucial to his formation as a priest.
“That was a very great time for me, both personally and in the development of ministry,” he said. “The program is such a faith-filled environment. It was such an affirming time to be a priest because of people’s faith all around me. It really drew my priesthood out of me.”
Frank Moncher, diocesan victim assistance coordinator, supervised Bishop Chylinski during his psychology internship in Arlington. “He brought with him natural gifts relating to people in a manner that was comfortable and charitable, making him a natural in providing excellent therapy to his clients,” said Moncher. “It’s unsurprising that he is recognized in the church as a leader who can model for others how to both adhere to the truth and to connect with people pastorally.”
When Bishop Chylinski was named rector at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, “there was an instantaneous standing ovation,” said seminarian Jordan A. Evans of the Arlington diocese. “He leads by the way that he loves. We were so excited for him because we knew how much he cares for us. We’d be willing to follow him anywhere.”
The first bishop of Arlington, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh (1974-83), was a seminarian and rector at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and the stream of Arlington seminarians going to Philadelphia has been constant for five decades. Of the 40 seminarians now in formation in the diocese, 12 attend St. Charles Borromeo.
“It’s a beautiful history, a beautiful continuity,” said Bishop Chylinski, who credits Bishop Burbidge for inspiring a shared “vision and love for the church, the priesthood and the people.”
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has 214 churches, nearly three times as many as the 70 churches in the Arlington diocese, thus the need for auxiliary bishops to help administer the sacraments, especially confirmation.
The diocesan bishop submits names of possible candidates for auxiliary bishop to the apostolic nuncio. “Then follows an investigation by the apostolic nuncio of the recommended priests and he ultimately provides a recommendation to Rome,” said Father Michael D. Weston, diocesan director of divine worship. “The Holy Father is the one who makes the actual appointment.”
Bishop Chylinski describes his appointment as a part of a God-guided adventure. “Looking back, it’s been one gift after the other,” he said. “I’ve just seen in all these ways how the Lord has been working in my own life, my own continued conversion and in the ministry he’s called me to. It’s all been a gift.”
