New Assignments for Priests in the Diocese 2015 August 6 second

New Clergy Assignments Announced
Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo announces the following assignments for the Diocese of Richmond.
Please extend a warm welcome to these men and pray for them as they begin their new assignments.
Rev. John Asare to Parochial Vicar, Saint Bede, Williamsburg, from the Archdiocese of Kumasi, Ghana,
effective August 1, 2015. Father Asare was ordained to the priesthood on July 19, 1997, and has served as
Pastor, and as Professor of Philosophy and Dean of Students at St. Paul Catholic Seminary in Sowutuom,
Accra. He has his Ph.D. from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome.
Rev. Patrick Baffour-Akoto to Parochial Vicar, Saint Bede, Williamsburg, from the Archdiocese of
Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa, effective August 1, 2015. Father Baffour-Akoto was ordained to the
priesthood on July 12, 2008, and has served as Pastor, Diocesan Religious Education Coordinator and
Headmaster of Nkenkaasu R/C Primary School.
Rev. Leon Navalle Fajardo to Parochial Vicar, Portsmouth Cluster of Parishes, Saint Paul, Portsmouth;
Church of the Holy Angels, Portsmouth; Church of the Resurrection, Portsmouth; and Saint Mary,
Chesapeake, from the Diocese of Caceres, Philippines, effective August 1, 2015. Father Fajardo was
ordained to the priesthood on March 10, 1987, and has served as Pastor of many parishes in Camarines
Sur, Philippines.
Rev. George M. Prado to Parochial Vicar, Saint Bridget, Richmond, from the Diocese of Kalibo-Aklan,
Philippines, effective August 1, 2015. Father Prado was ordained to the priesthood on January 17, 2006,
and has served as Spiritual Director and then Principal of Sto. Nino Seminary in Numancia, Aklan, and as
Director of the Commission on Social Communications.
Rev. Bernie Anthony Villaflores Ramirez to Parochial Vicar, Peninsula Cluster of Parishes, Saint
Joseph, Hampton; Saint Mary, Star of the Sea, Fort Monroe; and Saint Vincent de Paul, Newport News,
from the Diocese of Caceres, Philippines, effective August 1, 2015. Father Ramirez was ordained to the
priesthood on November 28, 1992, and has served as Pastor at several parishes in Camarines Sur,
Philippines, and as Vicar Forane of the Vicariate of St. Clare of Assisi.
Rev. Jimmy Ernesto Valencia Zepeda to Parochial Vicar, Saint Catherine of Siena, Clarksville; Saint
Paschal Baylon, South Boston; and Good Shepherd, South Hill, from the Diocese of Zacatecoluca, El
Salvador, effective August 1, 2015. Father Zepeda was ordained to the priesthood on December 6, 2014,
in San Pedro, Nonualco.
Rev. John Asare
Rev. George M. Prado
Rev. Patrick Baffour-Akoto
Rev. Bernie Ramirez
Rev. Leon Navalle Fajardo
Rev. Jimmy Valencia Zepeda