Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., has announced the recent appointment of The Rev. Athanasius C. Cherry, O.S.B., as the Subprior of Saint Vincent Archabbey. The Subprior is responsible for assisting the Abbot and the Prior in the daily operations of the monastery, and is one of the major superiors. Additionally, he will serve as Director of Archabbey Guests and Guest Facilities.

Father Athanasius is a native of Pitcairn, Pennsylvania. He attended Saint Aloysius Catholicl School in Wilmerding, and is a 1959 graduate of Saint Thomas District High School in Braddock. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Vincent College in 1964, and a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1968. He has also received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master of primary care degree in nursing from the University of Rochester, became a registered nurse through Saint Francis School of Nursing, and a primary care nurse practitioner through the University of Maryland.

He entered the Benedictine Monastic Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1961. He made simple profession of vows on July 2, 1962, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1965. He was ordained a priest in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica by the Most Rev. William Connare, Bishop of Greensburg, on June 8, 1968.

At Saint Vincent, Father Athanasius has been guestmaster and assistant director of the Oblates of St. Benedict (1965–67); a registered nurse for the Monastery Infirmary (1970–73); a nurse practitioner and director of the College and Monastery Infirmaries (1975–81); master of juniors (1976–80); and instructor in religious studies and field education (1975–81). He has also been administrator of Holy Trinity Monastery in Butler (1990–92), and was on the faculty at Royal College of Nursing, London, for nurse practitioner (1996-1997). He is currently professor of nursing at the Community College of Allegheny County–Boyce Campus (1987–present) and master of ceremonies for the Archabbey. He also served as administrative secretary to the archabbot.

He is a member of the Academy of Nurse Practitioners; the National League of Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau.

He is the son of Clarence and Dale Evelyn (Fontimella) Cherry of Wall. His brother is Regis Cherry, also of Wall.