News

AIDS Network picks local man

Green Bay native Daniel Lunney has been named executive director of the National Catholic AIDS Network, based in Chicago.

Lunney has been Web editor, annual conference staff member and interim executive director of the network.

He also has worked as a chaplain at several Illinois health facilities; as an intern for Network, a Catholic social justice lobby in Washington; and in World Mission Services for the Green Bay Diocese.

Lunney succeeds Fr. Rodney DeMartini, founding executive director and a priest of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Calif., who is now on a sabbatical.

Fr. Robert Vitillo, president of the network's board, said Lunney "possesses the organizational and pastoral skills to maintain and even expand the excellent services already provided to the network by those engaged in HIV and AIDS ministry and to the leaders of the church in order to promote an effective and caring response to the pandemic."

Lunney is a graduate of Langlade School and Abbot Pennings High School, De Pere, and of St. Norbert College, DePere, where he also received a master's degree in theological studies with a focus on pastoral ministry. He also has a Certificate in Graduate Studies in Healthcare Ethics from Rush University (Chicago).

Lunney, a member of St. Clement Parish in Chicago, is the son of Jim and Mickey Lunney of Resurrection Parish, Green Bay.

Fr. James Herring, O.Praem., of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, serves on the network's board of directors. Fr. Herring has been involved in AIDS ministry on the parish and diocesan levels for many years. He has been a ministry conference co-chair and conference presenter for NCAN.

Fr. Herring is a member of the Wisconsin Advisory Council for the Catholic Conference and of the Green Bay Diocese Social Concerns Committee. He serves as a judge on the Second Instance (Appeals) Marriage Tribunal for the Green Bay Diocese.

The National Catholic AIDS Network is now located on the campus of Loyola University in Chicago. Its website is www.ncan.org.