Reverend Monsignor Edward D. Lofton Lofton

I was responsible for all aspects of managing a large Catholic parish of 1200 families. Duties included managing and leading both the 'business ' side of the parish and the spiritual side of the parish community. When I was assigned to the parish in 1997, I was given the responsibility of developing the parish, which had about 300 families and a temporary sanctuary. I managed a multiple million dollar building program including the construction of a 12000 sq. ft. sanctuary, and a 6000sq. ft. office and chapel center. Upon my retirement in 2021, the parish had grown to 1200 families.

• I was assigned to St. Thomas parish in 1989 with the responsibility of leading the Catholic community's building and development programs, including the building of an 8000 sq. ft. parish center. I led the parish through a difficult time when the U. S. government closed Charleston Naval Base and the Navy housing community which was located in St. Thomas parish.

• I served as a Police Chaplain for the City of North Charleston and then for the newly established Coast Polic Chaplaincy which included all of Charleston County. In 1994 I was given the award, Police Chaplain of the Year, for outstanding service. ( I had given over 1500 hours of service to Pollice Officers in ride- a- longs.)

• In addition to my responsibilities as Pastor at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Bishop Thompson appointed me Vicar For Social Ministry, with the task of reorganizing Catholic Charities and increase social services throughout the entire State of South Carolina. My duties also included supervising Ethnic Ministries in the Diocese and Family services programs.

• I was responsible for parish ministry in three Catholic communities, Cheraw, Bennettsville and Pageland S.C. In addition to serving the spiritual needs of these small Catholic communities, I also build a new sanctuary in Pageland S.C.
• During this time, I also taught Intro. to Philosophy at Chesterfield Marlboro Tec College, and at Richmond Community College in Hamlet, N.C.

• After graduating from Mt. Saint Mary's Seminary, I served as the Secretary to the Bishop and later as a fulltime Instructor at Bishop England High School in the Religion Dept.

• My main responsibility was to implement a pay and classification system for all city employees. I also served the Sumter community as a Reserve Police Office.

Prior to this position I served as Assistant Dean for Adult and Continuing Education at Sumter Area Technical College.

Prior to this position I served in the USAF from 1968 to 1972 and received an honorable discharge.