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(bilingual) Statement in English and Spanish upon the selection of Pope Leo XIV - first American-born Holy Father - from Bishop John E. Keehner.

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.

Bishop Walker Nickless released a statement the morning of April 21, 2025 upon the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Father John Edward Keehner, of the Diocese of Youngstown as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City. A press conference introducing the bishop-elect was held this morning at the Central Catholic Offices in Sioux City. Father Keehner, 59, is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and is one of five children. He attended Austintown schools and graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1984. Father Keehner earned a B.A. in English in 1988 from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He then began studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary of the West in Cincinnati where he earned his M.Div. and M.A. in biblical studies in 1993.

(bilingual) I write to assure the people of our Diocese in Northwest Iowa of my concern for all of you, but especially at this time, our immigrant brothers and sisters. Escribo para asegurar a la gente de nuestra Diócesis en el noroeste de Iowa mi preocupación por todos ustedes, pero especialmente en este momento, a nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes.

(bilingual) Bishop Walker Nickless issued a letter Jan. 22 announcing the diocese will officially open the Jubilee Year with Mass Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. All are welcome to attend the opening Mass. El Obispo Walker Nickless emitió una carta el 22 de enero anunciando que la diócesis inaugurará oficialmente el Año Jubilar con la misa del 26 de enero a las 10 a.m. en al Catedral de la Epifanía en Sioux City. Todos son bienvenidos a asistir a la misa de apertura.

(bilingual) Letter from the four Catholic Bishops via the Iowa Catholic Conference on Nov. 19, 2024 to our migrant brothers and sisters. Carta a nuestros hermanos y hermanas migrantes - Los obispos de Iowa

Tapping into the church’s history of honoring and praying for workers in various professions, the Diocese of Sioux City, Bishop Walker Nickless and the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City are planning a Red Mass for attorneys, judges, lawmakers and those working in the legal profession. Bishop Nickless will preside at a Nov. 7 Red Mass at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany, which is open to the public. All are invited to a reception in the Epiphany Center afterward.

Bishop Walker Nickless and Sioux City Cathedral Parish are hosting the third annual White Mass Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany to honor and pray for health care workers.

(bilingual) For the second consecutive year, a semi-trailer packed with 24 pallets of food and supplies was sent the McAllen (Texas) Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley Humanitarian Respite Center to assist the center in their care of migrants. The project includes several collaborators including the Diocese of Sioux City.

The Kossuth County Sheriff's Office has charged Father Steven McLoud with theft in the first degree and fraudulent practices in the first degree.

(bilingual) Tickets are now on sale for the Cash Raffle to benefit Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City. The $100 raffle tickets will be sold this fall to fund thousands of dollars in grants for each of the 15 school systems. Los boletos para la rifa en efectivo, a beneficio de las escuelas católicas de la Diócesis de Sioux City, ya están a la venta. Los boletos de la rifa de $100 se venderán este otoño para financiar miles de dólares en becas para cada uno de los 15 sistemas escolares.

Bishop Nickless and the Cathedral Parish are hosting a Blue Mass to honor first responders Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Statement from Bishop Walker Nickless on the July 13 shooting at the Pennsylvania political rally for former President Trump.

(bilingual) We celebrate that the Iowa Supreme Court has recognized there is no right to an abortion to be found in the Iowa Constitution and, in so doing, has lifted an injunction against the law that would prohibit abortions after a heartbeat can be detected.

Father Dennis G. Walsh named Bishop-elect for the Davenport Diocese

Seminarian for the Diocese of Sioux City, Jacob Rosenmeyer of Divine Mercy Parish, Algona, was ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop Walker Nickless June 1 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany. Deacon Rosenmeyer will be ordained a priest for the diocese in June 2025.

The Diocese of Sioux City Office of Multicultural Ministries announced that Bishop Walker Nickless has authorized second load of food and supplies be collected and shipped to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, to assist the staff and volunteers at the center in serving the many people in need that they encounter.

Following is a press statement in English and Spanish from the four Catholic bishops of Iowa, of which Bishop Nickless is a member. The public policy voice of the Iowa bishops, Iowa Catholic Conference, prepared the statement regarding migration issues, including the new “illegal reentry” law to take effect July 1 and a call for immigration reform with humanitarian protections.

Bishop Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City will be offering a Mass of Reparation for victims of clergy abuse on Monday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sioux City Cathedral of the Epiphany. Victims and their families are encouraged to attend the Mass and join the bishop in prayer as April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.