Conference Staff

Rev. Msgr. Edward Sadie, V.F.
Executive Director

A native of West Virginia - he grew up in the Syrian-American community of Parkersburg - Msgr. Sadie has served as a priest of the diocese since 1957. The first decade of his ministry gave him a wide experience in pastoral roles and in teaching and serving as chaplain to college students and to seminarians. Since 1969 he has been a pastor in Charleston, since 1980 as the pastor of the diocese's co-cathedral. In the past quarter century as the Rector of the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, he has given leadership to the Charleston Catholic community in diocesan education, in ecumenical efforts, and as spokesperson on many public issues. His valuable service to the Church of West Virginia was recognized in 2005 in his appointment as a 'Monsignor,' that is to say, as a 'Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.' This honor scarcely marks an end to his ministry: not only do his other duties continue, but in 2005 he was appointed Executive Director of the WV Catholic Conference.


Rev. Brian O'Donnell, S.J.
Executive Secretary

Fr. O'Donnell is delighted to be missioned to West Virginia for the third time in his life. He is a member of the Jesuit community at Wheeling Jesuit University and is Research Director of the Appalachian Institute there. His Ph.D. dissertation had to do with the reaction of regions to the collapse of their industrial base. During the 1990s, he worked at the University of Detroit Mercy linking the university with efforts to improve the social and economic situation on the neighborhood and metropolitan levels. His research interests also include humans relation the landscapes they live within.


Carol Warren

Carol Warren was the Director of the Justice and Life Office of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston for eight years. Prior to that, she served as Coordinator for Peace and Justice in the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky. She was educated and certified as a Lay Pastoral Minister in the Lexington Diocese in 1995. Carol received a B.A. degree from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and an M.A. from University of Louisville. A tenth generation West Virginian, she has a deep and abiding interest in Appalachian culture and social and economic justice issues. She was a member of Bishop Walter Sullivan's consulting group that developed the Appalachian Bishop's pastoral message At Home in the Web of Life. She serves on the Board of the WV Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Chairs the WV Council of Churches’ Government Concerns Committee.


Nick Casey

Nick Casey - Born October 19, 1953. Married to Mary Panzera Casey with two children: Erin, Anthony. Graduate of the University of Kentucky (1974) and the West Virginia University College of Law (1977). Certified Public Accountant (1979). Past President - West Virginia State Bar, Past President - West Virginia Bar Foundation, Inc., Past President - Kanawha County Bar Association, Past President - West Virginia University Law School Development Council. President - St. Thomas Moore Catholic Lawyers Society, Past President and former Board Member - Charleston Catholic High School Board of Governors. Diocesan Lobbyist for over 20 years. Chairman - St. Francis Hospital Board of Trustees, Chairman - St. Agnes Catholic Church school addition and church renovation fundraising, Chairman - Charleston Catholic High School Expansion Campaign, Chairman - Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral Parish and School Capital Campaign. Treasurer - Serra Club of Charleston Division of Serra International. HOPE, Appalachian Service Project and Habitat for Humanity Home Construction Volunteer.


Gregory A. Hoyer

Gregory A. Hoyer of Charleston, West Virginia is a life long member of Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral. He was educated in the Diocesan school system and is a graduate of the University of Charleston. Mr. Hoyer is the former Assistant Director of Academic Solutions Inc. learning center in Marietta GA. He began his legislative career serving as a clerk for the West Virginia House of Delegates Judiciary Committee in 2003. In 2005, he served under the Clerk of the House of Delegates for the Seventy Seventh Legislature. He is also a former member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks. Currently, Mr. Hoyer is employed as a Government Affairs Specialist and Legislative Liaison for Lewis Glasser Casey and Rollins, PLLC in Charleston. He is a registered lobbyist for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and the WV Catholic Conference and is a member of the WV Professional Association of Lobbyists and the American League of Registered Lobbyists.