La Crosse gets its new Shepherd

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William F. Callahan, OFM Conv., 50, born in Chicago, an Auxiliary Bishop in Milwaukee, has been appointed to the vacancy for the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisc. More news when Rocco gets up. He was up late still grumbling about the Flyers losing the Stanley Cup to the Blackhawks.

Last November 14, LaCrosse's Bishop Jerome Listecki was appointed Archbishop of Milwaukee, so this seems to have been a swap and no doubt Abp. Listecki had something to say about the selection.

The Vatican announced today, June 11, 2010, that Pope Benedict XVI appointed the Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan OFM. Conv. the 10th bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, Wis. Bishop-designate Callahan currently serves as the auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee.

“I am extremely happy that a wonderful bishop has been appointed to a great diocese. All of us in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, especially this new archbishop, will miss his administrative leadership, his thoughtful insight, and especially his love for the Church. Our prayers and support go with him as he responds to this new call,” said Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki.

Bishop Richard J. Sklba offered these thoughts, “I offer my congratulations to Bishop William Callahan and to the priests and people of God in the Diocese of La Crosse as I learn of his appointment, by the Holy Father, to shepherd the Catholic community of southwestern Wisconsin. He will bring the warm and faithful heart of a pastor to this new responsibility in the Church. I shall miss his presence in Milwaukee greatly, as I have come to know him as a thoughtful colleague, a hard-working partner and a new friend whose gifts I treasure.”

Of his appointment, Bishop-designate Callahan has said, “I am honored by the responsibility that Pope Benedict XVI has entrusted to me. I am also saddened at the thought of having to leave my home here in Milwaukee. So many people within the archdiocese have meant so much to me during my time as an associate pastor, pastor and auxiliary bishop.”

Bishop-designate Callahan will remain auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee until August 11, 2010, when he will be installed as bishop of La Crosse during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, La Crosse.

On October 30, 2007, Bishop-designate Callahan was appointed auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee. He was the first Conventual Franciscan to be named a bishop in the United States.

As an auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee, Bishop-designate Callahan served the Church by helping the diocesan bishop in the pastoral and spiritual leadership of the diocese, and by assisting the diocesan bishop in his role as shepherd – through teaching, leading, serving and celebrating the sacraments with the people of the diocese.

On April 20, 2009, the College of Consultors elected him to serve as the administrator of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee until Archbishop-designate Listecki was installed as archbishop of Milwaukee on January 4, 2010.

Additional information about Bishop-designate Callahan can be found at www.archmil.org/Bishops/Callahan.htm.

A news conference to introduce Bishop-designate William P. Callahan, OFM will be held today at 10:30 a.m. at the Holy Cross Diocesan Center, 3710 East Avenue South, La Crosse, Wis.

All media are invited to attend this important news conference with the new leadership of the Diocese of La Crosse.
Additional information about the appointment and news conference can be found at www.dioceseoflacrosse.com.