Mary Jo Tully Resigns as chancellor.

Longtime chancellor moving on

Mary Jo Tully, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Portland for 27 years, is moving on. Mary Jo Tully, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Portland for 27 years, will be relocating to pursue other pastoral opportunities. The first lay woman to serve as chancellor of a U.S. archdiocese, Tully has led many initiatives, including ecumenical and interfaith relations, service to religious communities, Catholic health care policy, propagation of the faith and missions support. Archbishop Alexander Sample made the announcement July 11, saying he had  “a heavy but grateful heart.” The archbishop explained that Tully has offered “tremendous gifts” to the local church. “All of us owe Mary Jo our sincere and deep gratitude for all that she has done in serving Christ and His people,” the archbishop said, wishing Tully blessings. Tully, who holds advanced degrees in religious education and theology, formerly worked as head of faith formation in the Archdiocese of Chicago. She became a friend to Vietnamese Catholics of Oregon and Jews in the area. Both groups hold her in high esteem.