Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg will soon be making a move. He addressed the faithful in a news conference Sunday in Harrisburg.
Pope Benedict XVI announced from the Vatican on Saturday that Rhoades, a Pennsylvania native, will be transferred to the Diocese of Fort Wayne- South Bend, Indiana, home to five Catholic colleges including the University of Notre Dame.
"I was shocked. I had no idea I that I was even being considered, so I was very surprised," said Bishop Rhoades.
Bishop Rhoades has served the Diocese of Harrisburg as a priest for 26 years and it's leader for the past five. He said he will certainly miss serving the people of Pennsylvania, but looks forward to the challenges ahead.
"It will not be easy for me to bid farewell to my family, friends, my brother priests and the faithful of the Diocese of Harrisburg," said Bishop Rhoades.
"Wish him farewell, our bishop, and pray that he does well in his new diocese," said Father Francis Karwacki during Sunday mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Northumberland County.
Father Karwacki was ordained with Bishop Rhoades in 1983 and said he will be missed.
"Our loss will be their gain. We wish him very well and we know he will do well wherever he goes. He has the fire of spirit in his heart, priestly ministry and a great bishop, a wonderful bishop," said Father Karwacki.
"I'm sorry to see him leave because he's such a super man. He does so much around here for all our area," said Albert Visintainer of Mount Carmel.
Bishop Rhoades' new assignment means two diocese in our area, Harrisburg and Scranton, will be without permanent leaders but many parishoners said they are not worried.
"I have confidence that the church will find somebody to become the shepard of both diocese," said Paul Koutch of Mount Carmel.
Bishop Rhoades begins his new assigment in Indiana in January. There is no word yet on who will become the next bishop in the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Pope Benedict XVI announced from the Vatican on Saturday that Rhoades, a Pennsylvania native, will be transferred to the Diocese of Fort Wayne- South Bend, Indiana, home to five Catholic colleges including the University of Notre Dame.
"I was shocked. I had no idea I that I was even being considered, so I was very surprised," said Bishop Rhoades.
Bishop Rhoades has served the Diocese of Harrisburg as a priest for 26 years and it's leader for the past five. He said he will certainly miss serving the people of Pennsylvania, but looks forward to the challenges ahead.
"It will not be easy for me to bid farewell to my family, friends, my brother priests and the faithful of the Diocese of Harrisburg," said Bishop Rhoades.
"Wish him farewell, our bishop, and pray that he does well in his new diocese," said Father Francis Karwacki during Sunday mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Northumberland County.
Father Karwacki was ordained with Bishop Rhoades in 1983 and said he will be missed.
"Our loss will be their gain. We wish him very well and we know he will do well wherever he goes. He has the fire of spirit in his heart, priestly ministry and a great bishop, a wonderful bishop," said Father Karwacki.
"I'm sorry to see him leave because he's such a super man. He does so much around here for all our area," said Albert Visintainer of Mount Carmel.
Bishop Rhoades' new assignment means two diocese in our area, Harrisburg and Scranton, will be without permanent leaders but many parishoners said they are not worried.
"I have confidence that the church will find somebody to become the shepard of both diocese," said Paul Koutch of Mount Carmel.
Bishop Rhoades begins his new assigment in Indiana in January. There is no word yet on who will become the next bishop in the Diocese of Harrisburg.
