Bishops Richard F. Stika of Knoxville, J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, and David P. Talley of Memphis have issued a letter to Tennessee governor Bill Lee urging him to stop the execution of Nick Sutton, who is scheduled to die in the electric chair on Feb. 20: Dear Governor Lee, We, the bishops of the three Catholic dioceses of Tennessee, …
Statement from Bishop Richard F. Stika on news coverage of the Michael Boyd lawsuit
Bishop Richard F. Stika issued this statement on Friday, Jan. 17: I am disappointed that a recent newspaper story chose to challenge the honesty and integrity of the Diocese of Knoxville by accentuating disputed allegations that have been portrayed as hard facts. When information was presented to us, and personnel decisions were warranted, we took firm and prudent action, which …
Catholic Schools Raffle winners announced
The Office of Catholic Schools has announced that the 2019 raffle raised more than $138,000 to benefit schools and tuition support. Winners of the 2019 raffle are listed here: 1st Place $10,000- Kim Litton 2nd Place $5,000- Courtney Painter 3rd Place $2,500- Gina Martin 4th Place $2,500- Judy Speck 5th Place $1,000- Nicole Underwood 6th Place $1,000- Andrea Russell 7th …
Hundreds ‘give Catholic’ on Giving Tuesday
Hundreds of people “gave Catholic” on Giving Tuesday as 22 parishes, schools, and ministries in the Diocese of Knoxville received $62,871 through the online #iGiveCatholic campaign. As part of Giving Tuesday, which was Dec. 3, the #iGiveCatholic campaign was started in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to promote giving to Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries. This is the Diocese of …
Bishop Stika speaks of unity with Pope Francis during ad limina visit
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As people on pilgrimage often report, what happens along the way can be just as important as what happens at the destination. Every bishop in the world is required regularly to make a visit “ad limina apostolorum” (to the threshold of the apostles) to pray at the tombs of Sts. …
Bishops on ‘ad limina’ say their unity with pope, each other is clear
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As people on pilgrimage often report, what happens along the way can be just as important as what happens at the destination. Every bishop in the world is required regularly to make a visit “ad limina apostolorum” (to the threshold of the apostles) to pray at the tombs of Sts. …
From abuse to ‘nones,’ U.S. bishops share concerns with pope
By Cindy Wooden and Junno Arocho Esteves/Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The timing of the U.S. bishops’ “ad limina” visits to the Vatican was a matter of Pope Francis’ schedule and the regular rhythm of his meetings with the world’s bishops. But for Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, it also was “providential.” Because of a papal scheduling …
Dr. Kennedy honored at Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee dinner
Dr. Dan Kennedy, a longtime educator and a 25-year member of the Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee, was recognized as the newest member of the Society of St. Peter during the foundation’s 2019 annual dinner on Sunday, Nov. 3, in Knoxville. Dr. Kennedy was presented with a blessed icon of St. Peter by Bishop Richard F. Stika who offered his …
Cardinal Rigali reflects on life of Cardinal William Levada
Cardinal William J. Lavada, former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and a friend of the Diocese of Knoxville died in Rome on Sept. 26. He was 83. Cardinal Levada served as archbishop of Portland, Ore. and archbishop of San Francisco prior to his appointment as the Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith …
Bishops issue statement on scheduled state execution
August 15, 2019 We, the bishops of the three dioceses in Tennessee in conjunction with the Catholic Public Policy Commission, clearly state our strong opposition to the state carrying out the death penalty today. Carrying out this execution does not serve the cause of justice and bucks the trend of states across the country moving away from the use of …
Bishop Stika responds to lawsuit
Bishop Richard F. Stika issued a letter to diocesan clergy and staff on Friday, July 19, making them aware of a lawsuit filed on July 18 by Mr. Michael Boyd in Knox County Circuit Court and naming the diocese as a defendant. The diocese is unable to offer additional comment until new information brought to light in the lawsuit can …
Vietnamese Catholic community established in Chattanooga
Further reflecting the continued growth and diversity of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee, Bishop Richard F. Stika has formally established a Public Association of the Faithful for the Vietnamese Catholic community in the Chattanooga area. The establishment of a Public Association of the Faithful is the first step in the canonical process that one day could lead to the …