A Bronx priest has been appointed by Pope Francis to become an auxiliary bishop after being a man of the cloth for more than 40 years.

Vicar John Jenik currently serves as the pastor of Our Lady of Refuge Church, on E. 196th Street. The 70-year-old vicar was ordained a priest by Cardinal Terence Cooke on May 30, 1970. Before joining Our Lady of Refuge, he served at Saint Jerome's and Saint Thomas Aquinas parishes, both in the Bronx.

In 1995, Jenik was named monsignor by Pope John Paul II, and in 2006, Cardinal Egan appointed him vicar for the northwest Bronx.

Jenik will be ordained a bishop, along with two other priests, during a ceremony on Aug. 4 at Saint Patick's Cathedral.