(KNSI) — A St. John’s University alum has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Pope Francis made the official announcement that Fr. Michael John Izen would fill the position on Thursday.
Bishop-elect Izen is a native of Fairmont in southern Minnesota and graduated from SJU in 1989 with an undergraduate degree in mathematics and computer science. After graduation, he went to work for 3M as a systems analyst for nine years before being called to the priesthood. He earned his Master of Divinity from St. Paul Seminary and was ordained on May 28th, 2005. He served for two years at a parish in Faribault before being moved in 2007 to St. Timothy’s in Maple Lake. He also served at parishes in Crystal and Stillwater.
“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,” Bishop-elect Izen said. “Archbishop Hebda has been very supportive and reassuring since I first received the news – very fatherly. I look forward to being an extension of him to our Archdiocese, and serving and being present to the people of God.”
His episcopal ordination is scheduled for April 11th at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. The ordination will be live-streamed on the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis’ Facebook page.
As an auxiliary bishop, Bishop-elect Izen will work alongside Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams to lead the Church in the 12-county metro area.
___
Copyright 2023 Leighton Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, redistributed, or rewritten, in any way without consent.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!