Central leadership role represents the highest office available to a lay person within the Catholic Church Garden Grove, Calif., (Aug. 14, 2017) – The Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange, has appointed Pia de Solenni, SThD, and current theological consultant to the Office of the Bishop, to serve as Chancellor of the Diocese of Orange. As chancellor Dr. de Solenni will serve as the most senior lay administrative leader. Her duties will include serving as lead administrator/secretary of the Curia, official archivist and record keeper, and strategic and theological advisor to the Bishop of Orange. Dr. de Solenni’s appointment is effective August 28, 2017. “Pia is an inspirational and well-respected theologian and has proven herself a thoughtful and humble leader within our Church,” said Bishop Vann. “We are blessed as a Diocese to benefit from her expertise, passion, and faith. I look forward to the many gifts that she will continue to bring to bear in service to the people of Orange.” In her role as chancellor Dr. de Solenni will play a central role in supporting the organizational and ministerial efforts of the Bishop in guiding the faith journey of the more than 1.3 million Catholic in the Diocese of Orange. In addition to her role as official archivist and secretary to the Curia, she will, at the request of the bishop, review and offer her observations concerning his writings and teachings, as well as her opinion regarding questions of doctrine or dogma affecting other areas of the Church’s work in the Diocese. In addition to the already existing team of leaders, Dr. de Solenni will assist the Bishop in promoting and guarding the integrity of the Catholic faith. Solenni received her doctorate in sacred theology, summa cum laude, from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. She received the 2001 Award of the Pontifical Academies for her doctoral work, presented by St. John Paul II. With extensive experience in the areas of women’s health, bioethics, the new feminism, Catholicism and culture, she is a sought-after expert on these subjects. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal Europe, The Washington Post, Crux, The National Catholic Reporter, Our Sunday Visitor and other respected publications. “It is a tremendous honor to serve the Diocese of Orange as Chancellor. I am very grateful to Bishop Vann for his confidence in me and for giving me this opportunity,” said Dr. de Solenni. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is the growing Catholic community in Orange County, California on a journey of faith together. We are one of the most diverse Catholic communities in history, but we are united through our salvation in Christ, serving across languages and cultures, politics and lifestyles, to live out the Gospel and share the love of our Lord. Officially established in 1976, the Diocese of Orange’s history dates back to 1776 with the founding of Mission San Juan Capistrano, our diocese’s Historic Mother Church. Today, as it is home to more than 1.3 million faithful believers, the Diocese of Orange is the 12th largest and one of the fastest growing in the nation. Pastoral Center: Communications Department 13280 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840 office: 714-282-3075         fax: 714-282-3029