February 5
| 2023
VOL 31 NO 6
IN THIS ISSUE FOR THOUGHT MARCH PRIEST'S PRIEST B1 FOOD A6 POST-ROE A4 AClergy Diocese of Knoxville Pro-lifers celebrate join together at funeral Mass for Monsignor Gahagan
an abortion-free Tennessee
pantries making sure supply meets demand
He dwells among us ......................... A3 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ..........................................B6-7 Catholic schools ..........................B8-10 La Cosecha ............................Section C
Pope Benedict XVI laid to rest
Pope Francis remembers Benedict’s ‘wisdom, tenderness, devotion’ By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA
P
ope Benedict XVI “spread and testified to” the Gospel his entire life, Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Jan. 5 for his predecessor’s funeral Mass. “Like the women at the tomb, we, too, have come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope in order to show him once more the love that is undying. We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness, and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years,” Pope Francis said in his homily. The Mass in St. Peter’s Square was the first time in more than 200 years that a pope celebrated the funeral of his predecessor. Pope Pius VII had celebrated the funeral of Pius VI in 1802 when his remains were returned to Rome after he died in exile in France in 1799. Pope Benedict, who died Dec. 31 and had retired in 2013, requested his funeral be simple; the only heads of state invited to lead delegations were those of Italy and his native Germany. However, many dignitaries—including Queen Sofia of Spain and King Philippe of Belgium—and presidents and government ministers representing more than a dozen nations were in attendance, as were most of the ambassadors to the Holy See. Members of the College of Cardinals sat on one side of the casket, while, on the other side, sat special guests, including the late pope's closest collaborators and representatives of the Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant, and U.S. evangelical communities. Jewish and Muslim organizations also sent delegations. Pope Francis presided over the Mass, and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the altar. Some 120 cardinals, another 400 bishops, and 3,700 priests concelebrated. More
Farewell to a papal theologian Pope Francis presides over the funeral Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Jan. 5.
Pope Benedict continued on page A15
A fond following Pope Benedict XVI arrives to celebrate Mass on New Year's Eve in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Jan. 1, 2010. Catholics and people of many faiths around the world mourn the Holy Father, who died on Dec. 31.
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/PAUL HARING
Addressing the state of the diocese Bishop Stika cites successes and challenges for the Church in East Tennessee By Jim Wogan
DR. KELLY KEARSE
I
n his 14 years guiding the Diocese of Knoxville, Bishop Richard F. Stika says he remains motivated by something he spoke about during his episcopal ordination at the Knoxville Convention Center on March 19, 2009. “I proclaimed it then, and it remains my motivation even after all these years,” Bishop Stika said. “Teach Jesus; that is what I said we would do. And together we have done that since I arrived here almost 14 years ago.” Those who have observed his work say that when Bishop Stika arrived in East Tennessee it seemed obvious that his other goal was to lead the diocese from infancy into adolescence. “I have heard that,” Bishop Stika said. “Anyone who has raised a child would probably agree that moving them along in life can be a test. It requires love, and some-
Newly ordained Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali welcome the diocese's newest permanent deacons, pictured with their wives, following their June 11 ordination at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. times there are challenges. Parents know this, and they understand that tough love is also an essential part of being a good parent.” “Sometimes parents don’t have all the answers,” the bishop continued. “Books are nice, but most
parents will probably tell you that nothing prepares you for parenthood more than experience. You learn as you go, and you make decisions based on what is right for your child. Sometimes, it’s the same for a bishop. But instead of
books, we pray…a lot. “A lot has happened in the diocese since I arrived here, and it has been good for those we serve—Catholics and also nonCatholics. We have grown, we have been faithful and charitable, and we continue to teach Jesus with our words and through our actions. Sometimes we need to be reminded of that.” The Diocese of Knoxville turns 35 years old in 2023. The “new” cathedral will celebrate its fifth birthday in March. Bishop Stika, the longest serving bishop of the diocese, will mark 14 years as its shepherd next month. Other anniversaries and milestones are approaching. The bishop took time recently to update readers of The East Tennessee Catholic on the state of the diocese.
Financial strength
In January, the diocese posted Diocese continued on page A11