The head of Mayor Martin O'Malley's communications department has been named director of communications for the Archdiocese Of Baltimore, replacing Raymond P. Kempisty, who resigned June 13.
Stephen J. Kearney, 36, director of research and communications for O'Malley since 1999, is a former director of public relations at law firm Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand in Washington, where he specialized in crisis management and issues campaigns.
He becomes a spokesman for Cardinal William H. Keeler at a time when the American Catholic Church, as well as the archdiocese, is struggling to respond to a clergy sex abuse scandal.
Before his City Hall post, Kearney served for five months as director of communications for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese Of Baltimore. He also worked as press secretary for U.S. Rep. Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana and served as a trade magazine editor and newspaper reporter.
"It's an opportunity to give back to an institution that's done some great things and is continuing to do great things in this country," Kearney said last night. "It's an institution I care a lot about."
Kearney, a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, begins his new post Monday.
Stephen J. Kearney, 36, director of research and communications for O'Malley since 1999, is a former director of public relations at law firm Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand in Washington, where he specialized in crisis management and issues campaigns.
He becomes a spokesman for Cardinal William H. Keeler at a time when the American Catholic Church, as well as the archdiocese, is struggling to respond to a clergy sex abuse scandal.
Before his City Hall post, Kearney served for five months as director of communications for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese Of Baltimore. He also worked as press secretary for U.S. Rep. Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana and served as a trade magazine editor and newspaper reporter.
"It's an opportunity to give back to an institution that's done some great things and is continuing to do great things in this country," Kearney said last night. "It's an institution I care a lot about."
Kearney, a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, begins his new post Monday.