Pope Francis appoints priest of Nashville, Tenn , as bishop of Knoxville, Tenn angelusnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from angelusnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Bishop Richard F. Stika, whose 14-year leadership of the East Tennessee diocese has increasingly come under scrutiny and critique, has resigned, the Vatican said.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (OSV News) Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville, 65, has resigned from pastoral governance of the diocese. Pope Francis accepted the resignation June 27 and also appointed Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky, as apostolic administrator of Knoxville until a new bishop is appointed and installed. The resignation and appointment were