Father Richard W. Siepka, president-rector of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, finished his term on June 30.

“I am deeply indebted to Father Siepka for his selfless dedication to the important work of preparing men for the priesthood,” said Bishop Kmiec. “Under his leadership, the seminary has enhanced its reputation as an academic institution known for excellence in priestly, diaconal and lay formation. With a strategic plan in place as well as a strong commitment from the diocese for the future, Christ the King Seminary is well-positioned for the future.

“Father Siepka’s 12 years of leadership has helped the seminary meet the challenges of developing high-caliber theological education and spiritual formation programs.”

During his tenure as president-rector, Father Siepka led the seminary through a successful reaccreditation process with the Association of Theological Schools. The endowment has more than doubled and the seminary has expanded its offerings in continuing education for the laity by offering satellite locations in the diocese. Last summer the diocese moved the Office of the Permanent Diaconate and the responsibility for lay ministry formation to the seminary under a restructuring process supervised by Father Siepka to make Christ the King the ministry formation center for the diocese.

“I am so grateful to Bishop Kmiec and the entire diocese for the privilege of leading this important institution for these 12 years,” Father Siepka said. “Being a part of the education of so many of our young priests, as well as the permanent deacons and lay leaders, in our diocese has been a great joy. As the seminary now has completed its 150th Anniversary celebration, now is a good time for new leadership to continue to build for the future. I look forward to supporting the mission of Christ the King Seminary in whatever way I can.”

A priest since 1982, Father Siepka served as parochial vicar at St. Andrew Parish in Kenmore and Christ the King Parish in Snyder. In 1992, he was named president-rector at Wadhams Hall Seminary-College in Ogdensburg where he served until accepting a similar appoint at Christ the King Seminary in 1996.

Father Siepka has served on the diocesan Council of Priests; he chaired the Priestly Life Formation Committee and was co-chair of the Continuing Formation of Priests committee. He has degrees from Wadhams Hall, the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

A future pastoral assignment for Father Siepka will be determined. Bishop Kmiec has named Father Peter Drilling, long-time faculty member at the seminary, as interim president-rector. The bishop will appoint a new president-rector for the seminary at a later date.