Earlier this fall, the Diocese of Spokane was pleased to announce that His Holiness Pope Francis recognized the priestly service of two priests of the diocese by granting them the honor of Chaplain to His Holiness, with the title “Reverend Monsignor,” —Monsignor Brian Mee and Monsignor Mark Pautler.

The rank of monsignor is an honorific title bestowed on diocesan priests who are at least 65 years of age and have made substantial contributions to the life of the local church. In 2014, Pope Francis restricted the elevation of priests to monsignor to those over the age of 65 and eliminated two of three ranks of monsignor. Monsignors Mee and Pautler are the first new monsignors elevated in the Diocese of Spokane since 2007. They join Monsignors Kevin Codd, John Steiner, Robert Pearson, and Pedro Ramirez-Alejos in being honored by the Holy See for their unique service to the church.

Monsignor Brian Mee, a native of Spokane, was ordained a priest of the diocese in 1978. Monsignor Mee currently serves as the pastor of St. Augustine Parish, and recently completed a term as vicar for finance for the diocese. He has served at assignments throughout the diocese, as well as having spent 20 years as a member of the monastic community at Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon.

Monsignor Mark Pautler, a native of Walla Walla, was ordained a priest of the diocese in 1974. Monsignor Pautler currently serves as the chancellor and judicial vicar for the Diocese of Spokane. Before retiring from full-time parish ministry, he was most recently pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Spokane. Today you can hear him singing in the men’s choir at Sacred Heart and helping out in parishes throughout the diocese.

In addition to these papal honors for Monsignor Mee and Monsignor Pautler, Bishop Thomas Daly has been informed that the Holy See is processing two additional honors for lay people serving in the Diocese of Spokane, which he hopes to announce very soon.