New Superior Bishop!!!

Step away from your news desk for a few days and what happens? The Diocese of Superior gets a new bishop, that's what! Indeed, Superior Bishop Raphael Fliss announced to his flock late last week that his age-induced retirement had been accepted by the Holy Father, and Father Peter Christensen of St. Paul/Minneapolis had been named to replace him.

Bishop-elect Peter F. Christensen, second from right, and his sister, Joan Johnson, are greeted on June 28 at the chancery by Fr. James Tobolski, the judicial vicar and vicar for canonical affairs, and Fr. Kevin Gordon, vicar for priests.
(Catholic Herald photo by A.M. Kelley):



Given what I know of Father Christensen, I'm very glad for Superior. I studied at St. John Vianney Seminary just after he resigned as rector there to become pastor of nearby Nativity Parish. He inherited a seminary with a lot of problems, and really helped it turn a corner before current rector Father Bill Baer turned it into the amazing seminary it is today.

Here is the Vatican's official announcement:
The Holy Father appointed Fr. Peter F. Christensen of the clergy of the archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, U.S.A., pastor of the parish of the Nativity of Our Lord, as bishop of Superior (area 40,701, population 443,209, Catholics 81,885, priests 71, permanent deacons 57, religious 104), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Pasadena, U.S.A., in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1985. He succeeds Bishop Raphael Michael Fliss, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

The Superior Catholic Herald's story is here. An excellent story from the St. Paul Pioneer Press is here.

Congratulations to Superior!