Press Releases

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.