Bishop-designate Michael John Izen, next auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul. / Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. PaulDenver, Colo., Jan 6, 2023 / 16:45 pm (CNA).Father Michael John Izen has served the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as a priest for almost 18 years, and Pope Francis has decided he will be the archdiocese s next auxiliary bishop."I was surprised, humbled, and a little terrified when I received the call from the apostolic nuncio informing me that Pope Francis had appointed me as an auxiliary bishop," the bishop-designate said Thursday.Izen, 55, said that Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis has been "very supportive and reassuring" and "very fatherly" since he was informed of the decision."I look forward to being an extension of him to our archdiocese, and serving and being present to the people of God," Izen said.Hebda praised the appointment, saying, "It is with deep gratitude
Scott LaBarre, a longtime member of the ABA who advocated for the rights of people with disabilities, died on Dec. 10 after a short battle with cancer. He was 54.
Tensions between LGBTQ students and administrations endure at many of the hundreds of U.S. Catholic and Protestant universities. The Christian teachings they ascribe to differ from societal values over gender identity and sexual orientation, because they assert that God created humans in unchangeable male and female identities, and sex should only happen within the marriage of a man and a woman.