Pope Francis appointed Bishop James V. Johnston, bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Bishop Johnston has served as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau since 2008. He succeeds Bishop Robert W. Finn, 62, who resigned April 21.St. Louis Review
Bishop Johnston was born in Knoxville, Tenn., and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Knoxville in 1990. He served as chancellor and moderator of the curia for the diocese before being named bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI.
In a statement, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson wrote, "This news is met with great delight and appreciation. It has been my privilege to work closely with Bishop Johnston in Missouri for the past six years. He is a man of great compassion and kindness, with a deep sense of loyalty to the Catholic faith. His recent pastoral outreach to the parishes within his current Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau is perhaps one of the best models in the United States."
The appointment was publicized in Washington, Sept. 15, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Unlike the Cupich appointment where an "outsider" was brought in presumably for political reasons, it seems this is a more standard selection.
Background:
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| Bp. Johnston leading Corpus Christi procession |
He was installed as bishop by then Archbishop Raymond Burke
Newly ordained Bishop James Vann Johnston Jr. told his flock in Missouri that he comes "full of the spirit of a Tennessee Volunteer" and vowed to help every youth in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau "discover the plan that our Lord has for your life."
Johnston, a Knoxville native and former chancellor and moderator of the curia for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, was installed March 31 at the Springfield Exposition Center. He is the sixth man to sit in the bishop's chair for the church in southern Missouri.
Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis anointed Johnston's head and presented him the Book of the Gospels as well as his bishop's ring, miter, and pastoral staff. The staff, or crosier, was a gift from the priests of East Tennessee. Johnston's parents, Vann Sr. and Pat Johnston, gave him the ring. The archbishop then led Johnston to his cathedra, or bishop's chair, to the applause of those assembled.
HT Brian
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