A former Nesquehoning and Walnutport priest has been appointed as the new rector of the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena in Allentown.

Diocese of Allentown Bishop John Barres has appointed the Rev. Francis P. Schoenauer, M.Div. to the position. His appointment takes effect on Tuesday.Schoenauer, 69, was born in Lismulladuff, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1945. He moved to this country the following year.Schoenauer was educated at St. John the Baptist Grade School and Nativity High School in Pottsville.He prepared for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary outside Philadelphia where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.Schoenauer was ordained a priest on May 19, 1973, at St. Thomas More Church in Allentown by Bishop Joseph McShea.Schoenauer was a professor at Allentown Central Catholic High School in residence at Our Lady Help of Christians Church and St. Stephen Church, Allentown and St. Ann Church, Emmaus. He was also an assistant pastor at St. Ann Church, Emmaus, and Notre Dame Church, Bethlehem.Schoenauer first became a pastor at St. Fidelis Church in Mahanoy City in 1983. Over the next 32 years, he has also served at St. Richard Church, Barnesville; St. Mary, St. Boniface and SS. Peter and Paul Churches, Saint Clair; St. Margaret Church, Reading; St. Nicholas Church, Walnutport; and St. Francis of Assisi Church, Nesquehoning.Schoenauer succeeds Monsignor Andrew Baker, who last month was appointed Rector of Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.