Catholic Charities names Msgr. John Enzler next president and CEO

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Inc., is pleased to announce the selection of Reverend Monsignor John J. Enzler as its next President and Chief Executive Officer.   

A native Washingtonian, Monsignor Enzler has more than 40 years of experience as a priest, leader and advocate serving the needs of the most vulnerable in our community. Msgr. Enzler has long been involved in the work of Catholic Charities, having served on the Catholic Charities Foundation Board of Directors and on the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute Advisory Council.  His commitment to the poor and underserved extends beyond his work for Catholic Charities to include service on the boards of national and local organizations such as Providence Hospital, SOAR, Victory Housing, Shepherd Foundation, Potomac Community Resources, Order of Malta, Christ Child Society and Mount St. Mary’s University. As a founding member of Action In Montgomery, Inc. an interfaith network for social and economic change in Montgomery County, and as an active member of the Washington Interfaith Network and a Prince George’s County interfaith network, he is a recognized and respected figure in the metropolitan area community.  

“The Catholic Church is a leader in providing the help and hope that the poor in our midst need  to live full and dignified lives ,” said Msgr. Enzler, whose experience working side-by-side with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta has  inspired and driven his work locally.  “I couldn’t be more excited to work with the staff of Catholic Charities who do God’s work day in and day out. I welcome the opportunity to join our private and public partners to achieve our mission together.”

Msgr. Enzler will succeed Ed Orzechowski who is retiring after 20 years of service as head of Catholic Charities.    “Msgr. Enzler is very well known in the Washington region as a strong advocate for the people Catholic Charities has been serving for over 80 years – those who are homeless, adults and children living with developmental disabilities, immigrants from around the world and local families struggling with a crisis,” said Orzechowski. “He is the perfect choice to continue the incredible history of Catholic Charities in our community.”

Monsignor Enzler was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1973 and was named Monsignor by Pope John Paul II in 1985.  In his priestly ministry, he has served at a number of parishes throughout the Archdiocese, including St. Jane de Chantal and Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda, and as pastor of three parishes, Mt. Calvary in Forestville, Our Lady of Mercy in Potomac and most recently at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington, DC.  In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he has served the Archdiocese in many other roles, including as Director of Youth Ministry and since 2006, as Vicar for Development.

In recognition of his contributions, he has received the Washington Theological Union’s Service Award, the Potomac Community Service Award and the Catholic Youth Organization National Figure/ Outstanding Person Award.

Msgr. Enzler will assume leadership of Catholic Charities on July 15, 2011. Ed Orzechowski will remain involved through his planned retirement to ensure a smooth transition

Catholic Charities meets the most pressing human needs,  serving over 100,000 people annually through 77 programs in 53 locations throughout the District of Columbia and Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties in Maryland. For more information, visit www.CatholicCharitiesDC.org.