Bishop Richard Stika's Ordination

On Thursday, March 19, 2009 the Feast of the Solemnity of St. Joseph who has long been Bishop Stika’s special patron Bishop Richard Stika was ordained and installed as our new Bishop. The principal consecrator for the ordination was Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, the ordinate’s longtime friend. Co-consecrators included Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville and Bishop Robert Shaheen of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, headquartered in St. Louis. Our new bishop was installed by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Over 6,000 faithful from the 47 Catholic churches that comprise the Knoxville Diocese attended Bishop Stika’s ordination Mass, as well as 30 bishops and archbishops, two abbots, one cardinal, and six local leaders from other faith communities. Approximately 100 priests from East Tennessee, Nashville, and St. Louis also attended. Additionally, about 100 religious from as far away as Los Angeles and more than 60 deacons from East Tennessee and St. Louis also attended Bishop Stika’s ordination Mass and installation.                                            Jesus, I Trust in You