July 16, 2025

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

“It feels good to be finished and to get back to life in a parish,” said Father Shane M. Lynch, who recently completed studies in canon law at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa.

“It wasn’t what I had envisioned – going back to university after 22 years of ministry,” Father Lynch said. “But it was what Bishop (LaValley) asked me to do, and it’s been accomplished.”

While he hadn’t been a full-time student since his days in the seminary, Father Lynch said he made the transition back into the role easier than he expected.

“I initially thought the transition would be harder than it was,” he said. “I found myself able to adjust pretty quickly. I settled into the task before me.”

Father Lynch said he enjoyed his coursework on canon law in seminary, and he enjoyed the opportunity to learn more.

“Reflecting back to major seminary, I had an interest in canon law, but I never thought I’d have a degree in it,” he said. “We learned about the different aspects and level of intricacies in some parts of Church law. It was interesting to learn, especially getting into the details.”

In addition to learning general information about canon law, Father Lynch said coursework explored different codes of law around the world, the intersections of canon law in the Latin rite and in Eastern rites, as well as Church and papal documents that explain implementation of canon law.

“Some of it was eye opening,” he said. “I have a greater understanding and appreciation of the Church’s law.”

With his studies completed, Father Lynch will continue to work with the diocesan Tribunal and Office of Canonical Affairs while serving as pastor in a new assignment, The Roman Catholic Community of Brownville and Dexter, St. Andrew’s Church in Sackets Harbor, St. Cecilia’s Church in Adams, and Queen of Heaven Church in Henderson.

“At the bare minimum, I’ll be doing ministry within the Marriage Tribunal, using this degree and education for the assessment of those who seek a declaration of nullity for marriage,” he said. “That’s ultimately what a Tribunal does – work with people in a marriage who are looking to see whether or not the marriage is valid. It’s looking at a number of different dynamics.”

The diocese’s canon lawyers also serve as consultors on other issues that relate to the Church’s protocols and laws.

“It includes the temporal goods of the Church – how does the Church acquire and get rid of goods and property, and the code encompasses the rights of the people – the rights of the Christian faithful, rights of the clergy, rights of religious in different institutes of apostolic life, the authority of the pope and the authority of the bishops. There’s an entire penal law section, sections on how processes are supposed to happen.”

While Father Lynch says he’s looking forward to continuing that role, he also is excited to be returning to parish life.

“I think the bigger transition will be for the parishes,” he said. “It used to be two parishes that had one pastor and another two parishes that had one pastor. Now, it’s four parishes with one pastor and a seasoned senior parochial vicar. Having Father Hauser in house will be a tremendous help. The parish will also be sharing their pastor with the diocese, and that’s going to be an adjustment, as well.”

Father Lynch noted, though, that he feels his studies will make him an even better pastor.

“This adds another dynamic to my ministry,” he said. “There’s a distinct connection between (canon law and parish life). Where do cases in which someone is seeking a declaration of nullity come from? They come from the parishes. “

Father Lynch began his new pastoral assignment July 2.

Father Lynch is one of three priests who have studied or who are studying canon law in recent years. Father Joseph W. Giroux also completed studies at St. Paul’s University, and Father Leagon Carlin will return to St. Paul’s to continue his studies in the fall.