Two retired diocesan priests have been designated Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope Francis and given the ecclesiastical title of “Reverend Monsignor.”

“I am especially happy for my family and for St. Thomas Parish to receive this honor,” said Msgr. David L. Peters, a native of Decatur who said his hometown parish of St. Thomas the Apostle “forever holds a special place in my heart.”

“I am also grateful to my fellow priests who accepted me all these years, and of course to the bishop and Pope Francis.”

Msgr. Peters was ordained in May 1958 and served serveral parishes as an assistant, pastor or parochial administrator. Prior to his retirement in 2011, he was parochial administrator at St. Anthony Parish, Effingham and Annunciation Parish in Shumway. On March 1, he was appointed pastor Emeritus of St. Paul Parish in Highland by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki.

Msgr. James O’Shea, pastor emeritus of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Decatur, is a Springfield native who served as dean of the Decatur Deanery from 2002-2008 in addition to his many assignments in the diocese since his ordination in May 1964.

“I am so thankful to the Holy Father for making me a Chaptain to his Holiness,” said Msgr. O’Shea. “In an age when titles seem important, it is easier to live up to titles if we remember that we are children of God which is the most important title.”

Both monsignors were conferred with a diploma issued by the papal Secretariat of State.