In an unexpected turn of events, Pope Francis has accepted the retirement request of long-standing Sioux City Catholic Diocese Bishop Walter Nickless. After serving the diocese faithfully since 2006, Bishop Nickless revealed that he had submitted his retirement request back in May of 2022, as mandated when one reaches the age of 75. However, the approval from the Holy Father seemed to take longer than expected, prompting Bishop Nickless to humorously quip about feeling forgotten as he turned 75 two years ago.
Reflecting on the amusing anecdote, Bishop Nickless shared, “I was at Bishop Helen High School on January 28 during Catholic Schools Week, and I jokingly told the students that I think the Holy Father has forgotten me.” He continued, “I came back after that, and there was a call waiting from the nuncio in Washington, the one who makes the appointments.” The wait finally ended when Pope Francis appointed 59-year-old Father John Keehner from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, to succeed Bishop Nickless starting May 1st.
Upon receiving the life-changing call to lead the Sioux City Diocese, Father Keehner recounted the moment with a mix of disbelief and excitement. “The person on the other line identified himself as Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. And he asked if I was alone,” Father Keehner shared. “When I said yes, he began telling me that the Holy Father had appointed me the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa.” He chuckled, “I remember asking, ‘Is this a joke?’ His Eminence laughed, and reassured me that it was indeed real, asking if I would accept. My answer was a resounding ‘Yes.'”
In a heartwarming display of camaraderie, Bishop Nickless reached out to Father Keehner shortly after learning of his successor. Impressed by Father Keehner’s sense of humor, humility, and willingness to serve, Bishop Nickless promised his unwavering support during the transition. “We are very blessed, and Bishop-elect Keehner is blessed as well,” Bishop Nickless remarked. “He inherits a great diocese, and the priests and the people of the Diocese will soon see a man of the utmost quality.”
Despite not being raised Catholic, Father Keehner’s journey to the episcopacy is one marked by gratitude and humility. Having earned a B.A. in English in 1988 from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, Father Keehner pursued his studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary of the West in Cincinnati, eventually being ordained as a priest in 1993. Reflecting on his diverse experiences, Father Keehner shared, “I’m truly grateful for my time working with parishes and schools, where I learned far more than I could ever have taught them.” He added, “My interactions with young adults, as the Newman Center chaplain for Youngstown State University, and my work with the Department of Canonical Services have taught me the true meaning of serving with love and patience.”
The Sioux City Diocese, encompassing 24 counties in northwest Iowa, boasts a vibrant community of 84,000 parishioners, 37 parishes, and 36 priests actively serving. Additionally, the diocese is home to 15 Catholic schools that play a vital role in shaping the faith and education of the local community.
As Bishop Walter Nickless steps down and Father John Keehner assumes the mantle of leadership, the Sioux City Catholic Diocese embarks on a new chapter filled with promise, faith, and unwavering dedication to the spiritual well-being of its members. The legacy of Bishop Nickless’s service and the fresh perspective that Father Keehner brings ensure a bright future for the diocese and its vibrant community.
