New Bishop Named for Diocese of St. Cloud

(KNSI) — The Diocese of St. Cloud has a new bishop.

On Thursday, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis appointed Father Patrick Neary as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud.

Since July 2018, Bishop-elect Neary has served as pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Portland, Oregon.

Bishop-elect Neary is originally from La Porte, Indiana. He is the oldest of six and has five sisters. He graduated from La Porte High School and entered the undergraduate seminary with the Congregation of Holy Cross at the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame, he spent a semester at Anahuac University in Mexico City, where he learned Spanish. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in history.

He professed perpetual vows with the Congregation of Holy Cross on Sept. 1, 1990, and was ordained a priest at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame on April 1st, 1991. He served there as ROTC Chaplain for Latino students. He has also served in Chile, Rome, Kenya and Uganda.

“No one is more surprised than I am to be asked to serve as bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud,” Bishop-elect Neary said. “Yet I have always trusted that Christ has guided me through every stage of my life as a priest. I so look forward to meeting everyone who is a part of this diocese, my new family. I especially ask God to help me build on the legacy of Bishop Kettler and all the clergy and personnel who serve in the diocese with zeal and devotion. Please pray for me that I can be a faithful and loving servant to all of you.”

Bishop Kettler said he is very excited about the appointment. “Father Neary is tremendously qualified with his experiences as a pastor, seminary rector, formation director and missioner. I am very appreciative that he said yes to the call to serve the people of this diocese as their bishop, and I welcome him warmly to Central Minnesota.”

Bishop-elect Neary succeeds Bishop Donald J. Kettler, who will serve as apostolic administrator until Bishop-elect Neary’s installation. The installation Mass will be on the Feast of St. Valentine, February 14th, 2023. Vespers are scheduled for the evening of February 13th.

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