Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami is the new acting chairman of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty.

He was named to the post after the death of Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, the previous chairman.

“Archbishop Wenski is an energetic leader who truly brings a servant’s heart for ministry,” Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the USCCB, said in a statement. “I deeply appreciate his willingness to step into this role and lead the important work of the Committee for Religious Liberty.”

Wenski will serve in the role until the General Assembly meets in November. He was ordained on May 15, 1976 and holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida, and a Master of Arts in Sociology from Fordham University in New York City. 

Wenski, who speaks fluent Spanish and Haitian Creole, has been Archbishop of Miami since June 1, 2010.