Pope Leo appoints new bishop for Diocese of Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Pope Leo XIV has chosen the Rev. Ralph O'Donnell as the Bishop-select for the Diocese of Jefferson City, according to a press release.
The Diocese held a press conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on W. Main Street in Jefferson City. O'Donnell spoke to a fraction of the Catholics he will serve once he is officially in the position Oct. 28.
"I'm anxious to get here to the diocese and to be present and to learn what I can and respond in ways that can be helpful," O'Donnell said at the press conference.
The Diocese of Jefferson City serves about 75,000 Catholics across 38 counties.
More than 40 people showed up, many of whom worked with the church, such as Erick Chinchilla, who said he is excited to work with O'Donnell.
"I was just really impressed with him, and he just really seems kind hearted," Chinchilla, who works in the faith formation department.
Chinchilla said he will help spread O'Donnell's word throughout the community.
O'Donnell was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and was ordained as a priest there in 1997. He is currently the pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Omaha, according to the release.
"I’m grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV for this appointment. I look forward to coming to know and to serve the people of the Diocese of Jefferson City with joy. Let us pray for one another in the days ahead," a statement from O'Donnell says.
O'Donnell was chosen as the fifth bishop to lead the diocese after the Rev. Shawn McKnight was installed as the Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas, back in May. McKnight was chosen to lead the diocese by the late Pope Francis in April.
