Three local pastors have been named right reverend monsignors by Pope Paul VI.

In a communiqué received this week from the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Fathers John Stapelton, Donald Kiernan and John McDonough were named as recipients of this age old title of honor given in recognition for outstanding service to the Church.

All three men received the title ‘Prelate of Honor,” an honorary distinction conferred on clergymen by the Holy See. This ancient institution probably dates from the time of Pope St. Clement, who appointed notaries to collect the histories of the early martyrs.

Among them, these three priests account for 64 years of work in the priestly ministry.

Father Kiernan, pastor of St. Jude’s in Sandy Springs, was ordained May 4, 1969. He has served in many capacities in the archdiocese, from an early assignment as assistant at Immaculate Conception to pastor of St. Michael’s in Gainesville.

Father Kiernan left St. Michael’s three years ago to become pastor of St. Anthony’s in West End. In 1968, he became pastor of St. Jude’s. All during this time, associated with the archdiocesan paper as a regular columnist and, until last fall, as editor.

He currently is president of the Archdiocesan Priests Senate and a member of the Archdiocesan Board of Consultors.

Father McDonough, pastor of Holy Spirit parish, was ordained May 1, 1941 and came to the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta in 1949 from the Archdiocese of Boston.

He has served as pastor in four parishes. In 1967 he was named Vicar for Religious by Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan. He has also served as Priests Senate president. Currently Father McDonough is pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, with whose construction he is credited. Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan recently appointed Father McDonough to the position of Pre Synodal Judge, an appointment which will involve him in the deliberations of the Metropolitan Marriage Tribunal. He is also a member of the board of consultors.

Father Stapeton, a native of Savannah, was ordained May 14, 1953. He also has a varied pastoral experience which includes pastorates in three parishes.

He was the founder and builder of St. Jude’s Parish in Sandy Springs, where he was pastor until 1968. At that time he was named Rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King, where he is presently serving. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he has been a member of the Priests Senate and the Archdiocesan Commission for Christian Unity. He is currently serving as Pre Synodal judge in the Metropolitan Marriage Tribunal and as a member of the Board of Consultors.

The date of the investiture ceremony will be announced later.