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
The prosecutor s office in Marseille opened a preliminary investigation for "aggravated sexual assault" against Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard on Tuesday.
ROME (AP) The Vatican said Friday it has decided to launch a preliminary sex abuse investigation into a prominent French cardinal after he admitted to having behaved in a “reprehensible way” with a .