The Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria, has appointed Rev. Thomas G. Bohlin the vicar of the Prelature of Opus Dei in the United States.

Rev. Arne Panula, who served in that position since 1998, is now the regional spiritual director for the United States.

“I am enthusiastic about the possibilities for Opus Dei’s service to the Church in the United States,” Rev. Bohlin said. “Lay people have a privileged role in the evangelization of culture and secular life. Opus Dei can help people discover what that means.”

Rev. Bohlin, 48, a native of New Jersey, had worked for the last five years in Rome as chancellor at the curia of the Prelature in Rome. Rev. Bohlin holds two doctorates, in Moral Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and in U.S. History from the University of Notre Dame. He has an extensive background in education and youth work, including high school teaching and directing inner-city and international service projects.