Archbishop Fabre announces new priest assignments

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Knoxville, has announced the following new priest assignments: 

Father Chris Michelson will retire as pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville, effective July 1, 2024. Father Michelson will continue to serve as President of St. Joseph School and Advisor to the President of Knoxville Catholic High School.

Father Christopher Floersh will serve as parochial administrator of St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville, effective July 1, 2024. 

Deacon Bo Beaty will, following his ordination to the priesthood, serve as associate pastor at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut, effective July 1, 2024.

Father Gilbert Diaz will retire from active ministry effective May 1, 2024.

Father Bill McNeeley will serve as parochial administrator of Holy Family Parish in Seymour, effective June 1, 2024. Deacon Dean Burry is appointed temporary parochial administrator for the month of May, and the Paulist Fathers will generously cover the Sunday Masses. 

Father John Orr will serve as parochial administrator of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville, effective June 1, 2024. Father Valentin Iurochkin will continue to serve as associate pastor at Holy Ghost Parish.

Father Christopher Manning will serve as parochial administrator of St. Mary Parish in Athens, effective June 1, 2024. 

Sts. Peter and Paul Basilica will be providing sacramental ministry to Notre Dame High School, beginning with the fall semester. 

Father Bede Aboh will serve as associate pastor of St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport, effective June 1, 2024.

Father Zach Griffith will serve as chaplin of the Catholic Center at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and part-time associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City, effective July 1, 2024. ETSU will also be welcoming four FOCUS missionaries on campus beginning Fall of 2024. 

Father Matthew Donahue has completed his canon law studies in Rome, and will be assigned as Judge/Documentary Case Instructor for the Marriage Tribunal for the Diocese of Knoxville and as part-time associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Chattanooga, effective July 1, 2024.

Father Arthur Torres Barona will become assistant vocation director, effective June 9, 2024. His other responsibilities remain in place.

Father Mark Schuster will serve as Director for the Office of Vocations, effective June 9, 2024.

Father Michael Hendershott will continue to serve as associate pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Basilica in Chattanooga and at the Catholic Student Center at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. 

Father Alex Hernandez will serve as associate pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Basilica in Chattanooga, effective July 1, 2024.

Deacon Michael Willey will, following his ordination to the priesthood, serve as associate pastor at All Saints Parish in Knoxville, effective July 1, 2024.

A. J. Houston will, following his ordination as a transitional deacon, serve at All Saints Parish in Knoxville, effective June 9, 2024.

Deacon Daniel Herman will, following his ordination to the priesthood, serve as associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, effective July 1, 2024.

Father Albert Sescon will be retiring from active ministry, effective July 20, 2024. St. Augustine Parish will temporarily be providing sacramental ministry for Alexian Village.

As apostolic administrator, Archbishop Fabre is not appointing any pastors. Rather, priests responsible for parishes will be appointed as parochial administrators for the duration of the vacant see. The next bishop, upon his appointment and installation, will be able to confirm these appointments and name pastors.