Pope Francis bestows title of ‘Monsignor’ on five Diocese of Arlington priests

ARLINGTON, VA— Five priests from the Catholic Diocese of Arlington have been named by Pope Francis as Chaplains to His Holiness with the title Monsignor.

The new Monsignors are:

- Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Cilinski, Pastor, Nativity Parish in Burke and Episcopal Vicar for Charitable Works
- Rev. Msgr. Dennis W. Kleinmann, Pastor, Saint Veronica Parish in Chantilly
- Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Rippy, Judicial Vicar and Director of St. Rose of Lima Priests Retirement Villa
- Rev. Msgr. Lee R. Roos, Pastor, All Saints Parish in Manassas and Dean for Deanery V
- Rev. Msgr. William P. Saunders, Pastor, Saint Agnes Parish in Arlington and Episcopal Vicar for Faith Formation

In a statement, Bishop Burbidge said, “I congratulate Monsignors Cilinski, Kleinmann, Rippy, Roos, and Saunders for the recognition they have received for their dedicated and faithful priestly ministry. Their pastoral service has been and remains a special gift to the Diocese of Arlington. Each has demonstrated the virtues of the priestly vocation, and their lives have inspired all who know them, especially their brother priests and those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I ask all in the Diocese of Arlington to join me in congratulating our new Monsignors and to continue to pray for them and all our priests.”

“Monsignor” is the form of address for priests who receive from the pope certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignors have rendered valuable service to the Church and provide some special function in church governance.

Pope Francis accepts recommendations from diocesan bishops for nominations for the title of Chaplain to His Holiness, with consideration only being given to priests 65 years or older.

To learn more about Monsignors Cilinski, Kleinmann, Rippy, Roos, and Saunders, please read below.

Reverend Monsignor Robert C. Cilinski

Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Cilinski was born in Alexandria, VA on June 25, 1953, to Edward and Catherine Cilinski. He was baptized at St. Louis Parish, Alexandria and attended grade school there. Raised in Virginia, he graduated from St. John Vianney High School Seminary in Richmond, VA in 1971. He then attended St. Meinrad College in Meinrad, IN in 1975, graduating with a B.A. in Philosophy. After finishing college studies, he entered Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD in September 1975 to study for the Diocese of Arlington, where he received his M. Div. Father Cilinski was ordained to the priesthood on May 12, 1979, by Most Reverend Thomas J. Welsh at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington.

After ordination, Father Cilinski served as parochial vicar at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Arlington (June 1979 – May 1982), parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish, Dale City (June 1982 – June 1986), chaplain for the George Mason University Catholic Campus Ministry (June 1986 – June 2000), Administrator at All Saints Parish, Manassas (June 200 – January 2002), pastor of All Saints Parish, Manassas (January 2002 – June 2014), and pastor of Nativity Parish, Burke (June 2014 – present).

In December 2016, Father Cilinski was appointed as the Episcopal Vicar for Charitable Works, and as an ex-officio member of the Board of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington.

He has served as member of the Board of Directors for the Arlington Catholic Herald, member of the College of Consultors (April 2000 – March 2005), Vicar Forane (August 2002 – June 2014), member of the diocesan Clergy Personnel Board (February 2014 – December 2017), chairman of the Peace and Justice Commission (August 2018 – present), member of the diocesan Building Commission (February 2018 – present), and serves as member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council ex-officio (2016 – present).

Read the full Diocesan Press Release