Pictured: Bishop Keehner prostrates before the altar in the Cathedral of the Epiphany.
The Most Rev. John E. Keehner was ordained Thursday as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City during a solemn Mass at the Cathedral of the Epiphany. A native priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, Bishop Keehner was appointed on Feb. 12 and is one of the final bishops chosen by Pope Francis before his death last month. Archbishop Thomas Zinkula of Dubuque served as principal ordaining bishop and was joined by Bishop Walker Nickless, bishop emeritus of Sioux City, and Bishop David J. Bonnar of Youngstown, Ohio. Monsignor Veceslav Tumir, representing Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, read the papal mandate naming Bishop Keehner. The ordination drew 14 bishops, 80 priests, 50 deacons, religious sisters, civic and interfaith leaders, and hundreds of invited guests. Hymns in English, Latin, and Spanish were performed by the Missouri River Valley Choral Society and Cathedral musicians. The “Mass of the Epiphany,” composed by Father Ross Caniglia, was also featured. A link to a video of Thursday’s services is included below.
______
Pictured above: Bishop John E. Keehner of the Diocese of Sioux City offers Communion to his brother Rich, at the ordination Mass.