Msgr. Terrence Richey, archdiocesan director of the alcohol and substance abuse program through the Vicar for Clergy's Office, will be honored with the Father Ralph Pfau Award during a dependencies conference Jan. 22-25 at the Red Lion Hanalei Hotel in San Diego.

The award will be presented by the National Catholic Council on Alcoholism and Related Drug Problems (NCCA), an affiliate of Guest House, in recognition of Msgr. Richey's extensive service on behalf of recovering alcoholics.

Since 1975, Msgr. Richey has been directing weekend retreats for recovering alcoholics, members of Al-Anon and other 12-step groups. He has served several terms as an NCCA board member. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1964.

Richard Thibodeau, NCCA executive director, praised Msgr. Richey for his past vision and leadership and for his continuing support of the NCCA mission and goals. He noted the archdiocesan priest helped to organize NCCA's annual conferences and served as chair of the organization's 1977 national gathering at LMU.

As a staff member in the archdiocesan Vicar for Clergy's Office, Msgr. Richey helps clergy and religious communities with alcoholism and other substance abuse problems by conducting interventions, arranging for treatment and monitoring aftercare. He also serves on the advisory board of Guest House's residential treatment center for clergy suffering from alcoholism, located in Rochester, Minnesota.

The Father Ralph Pfau Award, established by the NCCA, is named after the organization's founder, who was the first Catholic priest to achieve sobriety through A.A. The award is presented annually to a priest or deacon who has, through lifelong efforts in the diagnosis, treatment and care of persons suffering from alcoholism and other dependencies, helped to advance recovery from addiction, both in religious life and in the general community.

A day-long pre-conference, including both English- and Spanish-language tracks, will be offered to local diocesan staff and other interested Southern California residents Jan. 22. Prospective participants can obtain further information by calling (800) 626-6910.