[Diocese of Long Island] Long Island Bishop Lawrence C. Provenzano announced March 29 the appointment of the Rev. Marie A. Tatro as vicar for community justice, a newly created position.

“I am very grateful to Mother Marie Tatro for accepting my invitation to join the staff of the diocese to shepherd the efforts of our clergy and people to serve the vulnerable in our communities in areas of immigration, housing, and equal rights and treatment,” Provenzano said. “Mother Tatro will provide strong and focused leadership in areas of community justice and provide direction to the diocese in tangible ways of living the Baptismal Covenant. She will be a resource to parishes and a liaison to the many commissions and agencies that serve at-risk populations.”

The Rev. Marie Tatro

As vicar for community justice, Tatro will have primary oversight of diocesan representation regarding social justice ministry and will serve as a key adviser to the bishop and to diocesan staff on social justice issues. She will also work closely with the staff of Episcopal Ministries of Long Island to develop funding support for social ministries within the diocese.

“I am honored to be part of creating this new position in the Diocese of Long Island,” Tatro said. “In these times when many of our sisters and brothers are at risk, I am encouraged by the witness of many good souls, both inside and outside the church, who stand with and defend the most vulnerable, the outcast and the oppressed. Rather than falling into despair, we have mobilized. With God’s help, I will do my best to put the beauty and power of the Gospel into action. As disciples of Jesus, our diocese will continue to work to bend the arc of history toward justice for all of God’s people.”

Tatro received a master’s degree in divinity studies from The General Theological Seminary and has a doctorate from C.U.N.Y. Law School.  She has a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. Prior to seminary, Tatro worked as an attorney in nonprofit organizations that provide free legal representation.

Tatro was curate at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, where she launched The Messengers of Justice Project, a service providing legal and pastoral support, referrals to individuals and educational workshops for the community. Over the past year, she served as supply priest at Trinity-Morrisania Church in the South Bronx and at All Saints Church, Sunnyside, in Queens. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Faith in New York and has worked closely with other interfaith social justice organizations including The New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC.

Tatro began her diocesan position on March 29.