July 2 | 2023 VOL 31 NO 11
IN THIS ISSUE TRANSITION THE RANKS FROM THE B1 IN B1 JOINING A4 RISINGASHES Diocese's newest Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Charities back on site after fire
presbyterate grows following 3 ordinations
deacons are ordained as they near priesthood
He dwells among us ......................... A3 Parish news ....................................... B6 Diocesan calendar ............................ B7 Columns ..........................................B8-9 Catholic schools ........................B11-12 La Cosecha ............................Section C
Bishop Stika resigns Diocese’s 3rd shepherd taking emeritus status into early retirement The East Tennessee Catholic
survived a heart attack, heart bypass surgery, and I have four heart stents. ishop Richard F. Stika, the DioI am also suffering from neuropathy. cese of Knoxville’s third and Last month, I was transported to a longest-serving shepherd, has hospital in East Tennessee for another resigned. health issue,” Bishop Stika said. An announcement from the Vatican “I recognize that questions about that Pope Francis granted Bishop Stimy leadership have played out pubka’s request to step down was made licly in recent months. I would be June 27 and then released by the U.S. less than honest if I didn’t admit that Conference of Catholic Bishops. The some of this has weighed on me physbishop cited ongoing health concerns ically and emotionally. For these reaas a reason for his retirement. sons, I asked the Holy Father for relief “Pope Francis has accepted the resfrom my responsibilities as a diocesan ignation of the Most Rev. Richard F. bishop,” he added. Stika from the pastoral governance of Bishop Stika, who turned 66 on July the Diocese of Knoxville. At the same 4, now takes on the title of Bishop time, the Holy See has appointed the Emeritus, and he plans to return to his Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre of Louishometown of St. Louis to spend his ville as the Apostolic Administrator retirement. of the Diocese of Knoxville to serve “God has blessed me abundantly. I until the appointment and installation have been a Catholic priest for most of the new bishop,” according to the of that time, and I have tried my best Holy See and the USCCB. to be a good shepherd. We have built The resignation of Bishop Stika and and dedicated many new churches, the appointment of Archbishop Fabre including a much-needed cathedral, were first publicized early June 27 improved our schools, expanded care in Washington, D.C., by Archbishop for the sick and vulnerable, and as alChristophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to ways, I have tried to teach Jesus wherthe United States. ever I go,” Bishop Stika said. Bishop Stika said he recently sent a Bishop Emeritus Richard F. Stika celebrates Easter Vigil Mass in April. “My desire is to remain in active letter to Pope Francis asking the Holy The now-retired bishop announced his resignation on June 27. ministry but at a slower pace. I would Father to grant his petition to retire Photo by Dr. Kelly Kearse. like to do so near my hometown, as bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville. St. Louis, and continue to live with The bishop was appointed by Pope issues most of my adult life. I have been living Cardinal Justin Rigali, whom I have Benedict XVI on Jan. 12, 2009, and was installed with Type-1 diabetes since 1980. I nearly died known for almost 30 years and who has been in on March 19, 2009. from a diabetic coma in 2009, and as a result I residence with me in Knoxville for 12 years,” he “People will speculate on why I am doing this. lost vision in one of my eyes. I was hospitalized added. “I have tremendous love for East TennesResign continued on page A8 I have been dealing with life-threatening health for another grave diabetic scare in 2015. I have
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‘Where are we going?’ Archbishop Fabre, as apostolic administrator, celebrates Mass, offers direction By Gabrielle Nolan
GABRIELLE NOLAN
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he Diocese of Knoxville is undergoing a time of transition following the resignation of Bishop Richard F. Stika, who served the diocese as bishop for 14 years and announced his retirement on June 27. While the diocese awaits a new bishop to be named, the Holy See has appointed Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, Ky., to be the apostolic administrator of the diocese. “An apostolic administrator is a bishop who is placed by the Holy See in a diocese without a bishop, and an apostolic administrator is different from an administrator of a diocese,” the archbishop explained. “An apostolic administrator has all of the authority of a diocesan bishop, so he has more authority than just an administrator. Usually, major decisions may be delayed, but he can make those decisions. But usually major decisions are delayed for the new bishop.” Archbishop Fabre celebrated a Mass invoking the Holy Spirit for the Diocese of Knoxville on June
'Comfort my people' Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre celebrates Mass on June 28 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Assisting him were Deacon Jim Bello, left, and Deacon Sean Smith. 28 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. Deacon Jim Bello served as deacon of the altar, and Deacon Sean Smith served as deacon of the Word. Deacons Hicks Armor and Walt Otey were the emcees. Also
in attendance for the Mass were more than 40 priests of the diocese and 30 deacons. Sister Mary Simone Haakansson and Sister Joan Miriam Nelson, who are Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., brought up the
gifts for Archbishop Fabre. They were joined at the Mass by several Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation based in Nashville and Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary. “My dear friends, good evening. My name is Shelton Fabre; it is my pleasure to have been the one sent here to serve you, to serve you, the wonderful people, laity, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women religious, seminarians, all of you who make up the Diocese of Knoxville,” the archbishop said. “It is an honor to share faith with you. Thank you very much for your presence here tonight as we look to Christ, relying on the Holy Spirit to give us guidance and direction as we continue our journey in and with Jesus Christ. It is my honor and my privilege to be here with you tonight, and I thank you very much for your presence, but even more importantly I thank you for your faith.” Before the homily, Archbishop Fabre took the opportunity to share more about himself. Originally from Louisiana, the archArchbishop continued on page A9