Bob Fardella, Chancellor of the Diocese of Long Island Honored by the Bishop and Cathedral for 27 years of Service
At the 153rd Diocese of Long Island convention on November 16 Bishop Lawrence Provenzano honored Canon Robert Fardella, the Chancellor of the Diocese, for his 27 years of service. The bishop announced the establishment of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island Canon Robert Fardella Endowed Scholarship at Adelphi University, the canon’s alma mater.
The Cathedral of the Incarnation honored the chancellor at the convention by presenting him with the “Dean’s Cross” and his wife, Jane, with a bouquet of flowers. At an earlier convention, Canon Fardella was honored with the “Bishop’s Cross.”
In a biographical video prepared for convention the chancellor said, “Who am I to sit in this seat? I’m just a guy from the Bronx who chose God over not, who chose the Church over not. What greater gift can you be given in your lifetime to make a contribution to something that’s so important to you as the Church?"
Bishop Provenzano said, “The chancellor of the diocese is actually the bishop’s lawyer. And often it has been heard, ‘…now listen here, you know whatever you say to me I have to tell the bishop, I’m his lawyer.’ He has become my friend, I can talk to him about anything, an example of integrity, faithfulness and honor.”
And, the bishop added, “Bob is a trusted lawyer and committed member of the church. Don’t let the tough guy exterior fool you – Bob is the real deal. He has filled an entire room in the See House (diocesan house) with the contracts, settlements, transcripts of depositions, leases and judgements both legal and canonical, which represent much of his complex work as chancellor.”