Cardinal Justin Rigali, who is now in residence in the Diocese of Knoxville, will represent the Catholic Church for the United States at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary in 2020. The appointment was made by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. As preparation for the Congress, Bishop Richard F. Stika invited parishioners …
Bishop Stika statement on USCCB actions on clergy abuse
The actions of U.S. bishops at our General Assembly this week demonstrate an ongoing commitment to improving the high standards we initially enacted almost 20 years ago to address the issue of clergy abuse. We have given clarity to the codes of conduct and accountability, set forth in 2002, that they now apply to all clergy, including bishops. I am …
Bishop to ordain new priest on June 8
Bishop Richard F. Stika will ordain Deacon Mark Schuster as a priest of the Diocese of Knoxville during a Mass of Ordination this Saturday, June 8, at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. The Mass is open to the public and will be video streamed live on the DioKnox TV YouTube channel …
Bishop receives St. Maximilian Kolbe relic
Bishop Richard F. Stika has received a first class relic of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a martyr of the Church who died at the German WWII concentration camp at Auschwitz in 1941. Bishop Stika received the relic while leading a diocesan pilgrimage to Poland. During a visit to the Niepokalanów monastery founded in 1927 by then-father Kolbe in Teresin, just west …
Bishop Richard F. Stika statement on papal decree
Today, Pope Francis outlined concrete procedures that the worldwide, universal Catholic Church must now abide by in the response to the societal evil of sexual abuse. The Holy Father’s motu proprio makes it clear that abuse at any level in the Church, and the failure of Church leadership to report abuse and protect victims, will not be tolerated. I welcome …
Bishop Stika statement on Pope Francis’ decree regarding sexual abuse
Today, Pope Francis outlined concrete procedures that the worldwide, universal Catholic Church must now abide by in the response to the societal evil of sexual abuse. The Holy Father’s motu proprio makes it clear that abuse at any level in the Church, and the failure of Church leadership to report abuse and protect victims, will not be tolerated. I welcome …
Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, visits alma mater St. Mary Oak Ridge
Dr. Kia-Fu Lee, the former president of Google China and a leading expert on global artificial intelligence, returned to East Tennessee on Monday, May 6, to visit the Catholic school in which he once learned, St. Mary School in Oak Ridge. Dr. Lee, the author of the recent New York Times bestselling book, “AI Powers: China, Silicon Valley, and the …
Bishop Richard F. Stika issues statement on recent violence against people of faith
A statement from Bishop Richard F. Stika regarding the recent violence against people of faith: Sadly, our world continues to be shaken by violence that is unfathomable and made even more repulsive by the fact that its victims are people of faith. Recently, we witnessed the premeditated slaughter of more than 250 innocent people in Sri Lanka, many of whom …
Holy Week 2019
Bishop Richard F. Stika will commemorate the most sacred week of our liturgical calendar with the following celebrations and services at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Tuesday, April 16: Chrism Mass. Click here for video of the Chrism Mass. Maundy Thursday, April 18: Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper and Washing of the Feet, 7 …
Statement from Bishop Richard F. Stika regarding fire at Cathedral of Notre Dame
Bishop Richard F. Stika of the Diocese of Knoxville expressed shock and disappointment today at the destructive fire that broke out in the historic Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. Bishop Stika said he will reach out to the Archdiocese of Paris with prayers and offers of support from the Diocese of Knoxville as France works to rebuild the centuries-old …
Abby Johnson shares pro-life message at St. Mary Church in Athens
Abby Johnson spoke at the Full Circle Luncheon at St. Mary Church in Athens on April 11, on creating a culture that values all human life, including children in the womb. Ms. Johnson is a pro-life author and speaker. The movie “Unplanned,” in theaters now, is based on her story as a former Planned Parenthood worker turned pro-life advocate. Ms. …
Dr. Sedonna Prater appointed superintendent of Catholic schools
Bishop Richard F. Stika of the Diocese of Knoxville has named Dr. Sedonna Prater as the new superintendent of Catholic schools effective April 10, 2019. “Dr. Prater is going to be an excellent leader for our Catholic schools,” Bishop Stika said. “She cares deeply about educating students the right way, and it only takes a few minutes with her to …
Bishop Stika administers sacrament of confirmation across diocese
Bishop Richard F. Stika has been administering the sacrament of confirmation to hundreds of youth at nearly every Diocese of Knoxville parish this spring. Last year, confirmations were held at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in celebration of the new cathedral and the diocese’s 30th anniversary. This year, Bishop Stika is visiting and celebrating Mass at …
Incorrupt heart of Saint John Vianney to visit Diocese of Knoxville in May
The incorrupt heart of Saint John (Jean) Vianney, a major relic of the patron saint of parish priests, will visit the Diocese of Knoxville on May 23 as part of its pilgrimage to the United States. The Knights of Columbus, entrusted with the relic on its national tour of the U.S., will be working with Bishop Richard F. Stika to …