Seminary professor named archdiocese vicar general

Last update: October 20, 2009 - 9:16 PM

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced Tuesday that the Rev. Peter Laird will become the vicar general and moderator of the curia. He succeeds the Rev. Paul Sirba, who last week was named the bishop of the Diocese of Duluth. Both men will start their new jobs in December.

For the last nine years, Laird, 43, a native of Wausau, Wis., has been on the faculty at the St. Paul Seminary. He has spent a lot of time in school as a student, too: He has a doctorate in sacred theology, three master's degrees and a law degree.

The career paths of Laird and Sirba have crossed before. They both served at St. Olaf Catholic Church in downtown Minneapolis, although at different times.

JEFF STRICKLER

Recent St. Paul stories

St. Paul man now in prison charged with rapes in '90s - October 20, 2009

St. Paul man now in prison charged with rapes in '90s - DNA tests connected him to three sex assaults that spread fear and sparked investigation. More