Anthony P. Kearns III, Esq. named as new chancellor for the Diocese of Metuchen

PISCATAWAY – Bishop James F. Checchio on March 1 announced the appointment of Anthony P. Kearns III, Esq. as the new chancellor of the Diocese of Metuchen. Kearns, who most recently served as Hunterdon County Prosecutor, will begin his new role on April 12.

As chancellor, Kearns will serve as a key member of Bishop Checchio’s core team; oversee the corporate structures of the diocese; provide supervision to multiple diocesan directors and their related offices, including oversight of the Office of Child and Youth Protection and the Office of the Diocesan General Counsel; provide support to Catholic schools and Catholic Social Services in the diocese; and oversee the maintenance of archives and records.

“I have consulted many, and have carefully studied and discerned in order to appoint the person best suited for this position, one who can guide us further especially where civil and Church matters intersect,” said Bishop James F. Checchio. “Tony has a broad skillset and will bring much knowledge and experience to the position, which I anticipate will lead to many contributions to our local Church.”

Kearns, who has given 12 years to public service, worked for eight years as Hunterdon County Prosecutor and four years as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey.

He worked in private practice for over eight years, where he focused on Criminal, Family, and Land Use Law, and was made partner of the law firm. In addition, Kearns is a trained mediator and has been certified as a collaborative law attorney. He served as attorney for multiple municipalities throughout the county.

Kearns graduated from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. Previously, he earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Loyola College in Baltimore. Prior to that, he graduated with a double major in Psychology and Spanish from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

He is trained as a family, adolescent and individual therapist. He is also trained as a substance abuse therapist and has counseled both men and women ensnared in the cycle of domestic violence.

A native to Hunterdon County and the Diocese of Metuchen, Kearns lives in Clinton with his wife and four children and is a parishioner of Immaculate Conception, Annandale.

“What has impressed me about Tony, since the first time I met him, is his active faith and dedication to our Church,” Checchio said. “I am deeply grateful that Tony has accepted this appointment and am especially grateful for his personal faith and integrity as a Catholic citizen.”

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