SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A South Charleston parish will welcome a new priest next month, after its leader was arrested on drug charges and suspended in September.

The Rev. John H. Finnell will permanently replace the Rev. James Edward O'Connor at Blessed Sacrament church as early as Nov. 5, said pastoral assistant Jeanne Haas. Finnell currently serves at St. Matthew Church in Ravenswood.

O'Connor was arrested on Sept. 29 for felony possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and suspended from leadership by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston the following day. He had led the church since 2006.

Finnell said the diocese approached him about moving to Blessed Sacrament after the suspension and he took two days to pray and consider the move before accepting the position on last Wednesday.

"Pretty much every assignment I've been given, there was a need there to deal with a crisis. I guess I should wear a fireman's helmet," Finnell said.

Finnell has served at the Ravenswood church for less than three years. He was ordained in 1978 by the Diocese of Worcester near his home community in Massachusetts and came to West Virginia in 1984. Finnell has served several rural churches during his 30 years in ministry.

Though South Charleston's parish is larger than his 250-member congregation in Ravenswood, he is acquainted with the South Charleston church.

In 1997, Finnell spent three months in residence at Blessed Sacrament while the Rev. Leon Alexander was on sabbatical overseas.

"I got to know the parish somewhat and I certainly got to know the staff," Finnell said.

Finell said he plans to visit South Charleston today to meet with the church staff. He said he will familiarize himself with Blessed Sacrament's goals and missions and help the church community move forward from O'Connor's arrest. 

"When something terrible happens, God can make good use of it," he said. "I don't have a plan in mind, but I know God is going to do something wonderful if we just tune in."

Reach Kellen Henry at khe...@wvgazette.com or 348-5179.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A South Charleston parish will welcome a new priest next month, after its leader was arrested on drug charges and suspended in September.

The Rev. John H. Finnell will permanently replace the Rev. James Edward O'Connor at Blessed Sacrament church as early as Nov. 5, said pastoral assistant Jeanne Haas. Finnell currently serves at St. Matthew Church in Ravenswood.

O'Connor was arrested on Sept. 29 for felony possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and suspended from leadership by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston the following day. He had led the church since 2006.

Finnell said the diocese approached him about moving to Blessed Sacrament after the suspension and he took two days to pray and consider the move before accepting the position on last Wednesday.

"Pretty much every assignment I've been given, there was a need there to deal with a crisis. I guess I should wear a fireman's helmet," Finnell said.

Finnell has served at the Ravenswood church for less than three years. He was ordained in 1978 by the Diocese of Worcester near his home community in Massachusetts and came to West Virginia in 1984. Finnell has served several rural churches during his 30 years in ministry.

Though South Charleston's parish is larger than his 250-member congregation in Ravenswood, he is acquainted with the South Charleston church.

In 1997, Finnell spent three months in residence at Blessed Sacrament while the Rev. Leon Alexander was on sabbatical overseas.

"I got to know the parish somewhat and I certainly got to know the staff," Finnell said.

Finell said he plans to visit South Charleston today to meet with the church staff. He said he will familiarize himself with Blessed Sacrament's goals and missions and help the church community move forward from O'Connor's arrest. 

"When something terrible happens, God can make good use of it," he said. "I don't have a plan in mind, but I know God is going to do something wonderful if we just tune in."

Reach Kellen Henry at khe...@wvgazette.com or 348-5179.