Bishop Keehner ordained as eighth bishop of the diocese

PRESS RELEASE
 
Most Rev. John E. Keehner, a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, was ordained as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City on May 1 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. He was ordained by Archbishop Thomas Zinkula of Dubuque with Bishop Walker Nickless, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Sioux City and Bishop David J. Bonnar of Youngstown serving as co-ordaining bishops.
 
Pope Francis named then-Father Keehner to serve as the next diocesan bishop on Feb. 12, almost three years after Bishop Nickless submitted his mandatory resignation letter to the pope on his 75^th birthday. 
 
Fourteen bishops from around the country concelebrated as well as 80 total priests from the Sioux City and Youngstown and other dioceses. Fifty deacons were also present at the Mass. 
 
Religious sisters, faith leaders of other denominations, civic leaders and invited guests filled the downtown Cathedral.
 
Msgr. Veceslav Tumir represented Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio, who was in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral and upcoming conclave to select a new Holy Father. He read the mandate naming Bishop Keehner, signed by Pope Francis, noting Bishop Keehner was one of the last bishops named by the Holy Father before his death.
 
Archbishop Zinkula offered the homily for the Mass, noting it was “a momentous and joyous occasion” and one of deep faith.
 
Bishop Keehner’s family, friends and brother priests traveled to northwest Iowa to support the new shepherd of the Diocese of Sioux City.
 
Music was provided by the Missouri River Choral Society and the Cathedral choir, directed by Dr. John Flanery as well as Cathedral resident organist Dr. Jeremy Owens and the Lewis and Clark Brass Quintet. Hymns were in English, Latin and Spanish.
 
The Mass setting, Mass of the Epiphany, was sung at the Mass, written by Father Ross Caniglia, diocesan priest.
 
The ordination Mass was broadcast and livestreamed by KTIV Channel 4, the local NBC affiliate. The KTIV livestream was also made available on the Diocese of Sioux City YouTube channel. 
 
Bishop Nickless, originally a priest from Denver, had served as head of the Sioux City Diocese since January 20, 2006. 
 
-30-