Rev. Edward G. Pfnausch
Deceased: 2013-01-11
Diocese: HARTFORD
Seminary Graduation Year: 1968
CSM Graduation Year: 1973
After a short battle with lung cancer, the Rev. Edward G. Pfnausch, J. C. D. , passed to his eternal reward on January 11, 2013 . Fr. Pfnausch was born in New Haven, Connecticut on May 13, 1942, the son of the late Edward g. Pfnausch and the late Lillian Lynch. He is survived by his family in Connecticut, two sisters, Mrs. Barbara Coyle and Mrs. Deborah Ritchie, four nephews and three nieces. After attending local public grammar schools, Fr. Pfnausch entered St. Thomas Seminary in Sept of 1960. He continued his studies for the Catholic priesthood at St. Bernard’s seminary in Rochester, New York was ordained a catholic priest by the Most Reverend Joseph P. Donnelly on May 23, 1968. After serving as assistant Pastor in West Hartford Connecticut Archbishop John F. Whealon assigned Father Pfnausch to pursue graduate studies in canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He completed his initial degree in 1973 and returned to the Hartford Chancery where he served as Defender of the Bond and Judge in the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Hartford. During those years in the Hartfor Tribunal he was surrounded and inspired by a group of internationally known canonists who both motivated and encouraged him to become involved in the process of the revision of the Code of Canon Law. Following the vision of Pope Paul VI, canonists around the world were reformulating the 1981 Code of Law to bring them in conformity with the insight and dreams of the Second Vatican Council. Those years were interesting, exciting and challenging for anyone concerned that the law of the Church protect the entire people of God. Of particular concern to Amercan canonists in the early 1970’s was the commitment to developing a workable and just procedure for those who has experienced divorce and remarriage and hoped to reconcile themselves with the Church. In addition to the revision of matrimonial law, there were as many efforts to incorporate new structures of government, consultation and participation into the life of each Diocese and Parish. That process of revision was brought to completion by Blessed Pope John Paul II with the promulgation of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. Due to the encouragement of those in the office and Archbishop Whealon, Fr. Pfnausch began a 25 year involvement as an active member of the Canon Law Society of America. In addition to various committees, Fr. Pfnausch served as president of the Canon Law Society of America in 1982. In 1986 Fr. Pfnausch was appointed as the first full time executive coordinator of the Canon Law Society of America at its national office at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. While at the Catholic University, Fr. Pfnausch earned his doctorate in Canon Law in 1994 and subsequently joined the faculty at the Catholic University as Assistant Professor of Church Law. Like his experience in the Hartford chancery, Dr. Pfnausch as surrounded by a small but vibrant faculty who inspired and challenged the effort to provide the Catholic Church with a new way of thinking about Church law. In addition to the interaction with a dedicated faculty, students provided a challenging and demanding opportunity to make the law of the Church living and active in the Catholic community. Fr. Pfnausch returned to the Archdiocese of Hartford in the year 2000 and subsequently was appointed Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Derby, Connecticut. Four years later Fr. Pfnausch was appointed Pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in North Haven, Connecticut. Due to his deteriorating health, Dr. Pfnausch resigned as pastor on April 19, 2011 and moved to El Paso, Texas. Despite his inability to quickly learn Spanish, he was fortunate to participate in the ministry of Father Frank Lopez and the community in El Paso. The dreams and hopes and vision for a new church building that express the faith that is so alive here, was an inspiration to him. Unlike the challenge of learning Spanish, the adventures and experiments with find Mexican cooking were a source of great joy, especially when family gathered together and offered their frank an honest evaluation of his Christmas hazelnut mole. After having spent a lifetime in New England, the change to living in the southwest was both a challenge and joy filled experience. Certainly growing up by the ocean was a major influence in Father’s development and information, both as a priest and a believer. The ocean provided a constant source for reflection on the beauty of God’s creation as well as the power found in nature. In leiu of beautiful flowers that fade and die, Father requested generous tax free donations in his memory be made to the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Building Fund, 12200 Vista del Sol, El Paso, Texas, to help build a permanent testimony to the faith of this community in El Paso. Father wanted to express many thanks to the community of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in El Paso for their prayers, support and encouragement in his time of illness. No words can express the thanks to his friend, Father Frank Lopez, for his care during his difficult days. The prayers, support and friendship of his family were a continuing blessing. May God bless his entire family. In addition to the support of the family, we would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Haroutions Shahinian, Dr. Nagender Mankan and the professional staff at the cancer and specialty clinics of El Paso that provided their generous and professional expertise. In addition, Father wanted to express his sincere gratitude to the Odyssey Hospice team, especially Dr. Nancy Torres and her nurse Joanna Jasso for their unfailing support, comfort and care during his last weeks. God Bless you. God was very generous with his gifts and the opportunity to live and work with church law during some exciting and create moments in church history. The people he met, the things he learned and the dedication of so many were a real gift and inspiration for which thanks is due to God and God alone. Of all the virtues that should characterize the lives of believers, these are faith and love and hope and the greatest of these is love. We will miss you tremendously Fr. Ed. You have truly been an inspiration to us. Your passion of teaching and preaching was contagious. We have learned so much from you during this short period of time with us. You have touched our lives. We will miss your wisdom, your knowledge, your sense of humor and yes, your excellent cooking! We thank God for our faith and for the gift of the Resurrection. It is indeed our certain hope that we will rise with Christ to new life. May you rest in his eternal peace and may His mercy continue to unite us in the bonds of love and friendship until we meet again. Peace. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church in El Paso on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. A vigil service will be held at the church on January 14, 2013 at 7 P.M. Committal will be private.
