KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Pope Francis has appointed Reverend James Mark Beckman as Bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee, almost a year after the previous bishop resigned under pressure following claims he mishandled sex abuse allegations.
The Vatican announced the appointment in its Tuesday noon bulletin. As is usual, the announcement made no mention of his predecessor or the circumstances under which he left the post.
Bishop-elect Beckman is a priest of the Diocese of Nashville where he has served as pastor of Saint Henry parish since 2015, according to the announcement. He earned his master’s degree in religious studies from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium in 1989 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1990 for the Diocese of Nashville.
Pope Francis accepted Bishop Richard Stika’s resignation last June, closing a turbulent chapter for the southern U.S. diocese that was marked by a remarkable revolt by some of its priests. They accused Stika of abusing his authority during his 14 years as bishop of Knoxville and protecting a seminarian accused of sexual misconduct.
They appealed to the Vatican for “merciful relief” in 2021, citing their own mental health, sparking a Vatican investigation that led to Stika’s resignation.
In media interviews, Stika strongly defended his actions and his leadership, saying he worked to bring unity in the diocese.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
At time of rising antisemitism, Holocaust survivors take on denial and hate in new digital campaignAdvocates say Supreme Court must preserve new, mostly Black US House district for 2024 electionsNetanyahu vows to invade Rafah 'with or without a deal'WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi calls out 'sensitive' Caitlin Clark fans after online backlashLady Gaga's father says he was 'attacked' outside NYC church as he slams ongoing Big Apple crimeArizona will repeal its 1864 abortion ban. Democrats are still planning to use it against TrumpLeBron James speaks out on NBA future after the Lakers' playoff elimination by the Denver NuggetsLewandowski hatPhillies strike out 18 times, but beat Angels 2'Mumtrepeneur' opens a high
3.8914s , 6500.71875 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Pope Francis appoints new bishop in Tennessee after former bishop's resignation under pressure ,Stellar Saga news portal