Monsignor R. Walker Nickless named Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City
Denver native will be 7th bishop in the history of the diocese

November 10, 2005

Msgr. R. Walker Nickless, a priest of the Archdiocese of Denver, Colo., has been named the 7th bishop in the 103-year history of the Diocese of Sioux City. The appointment of Msgr. Nickless was announced simultaneously Nov. 10 at the Vatican, in Sioux City and in Denver.

Archbishop Jerome Hanus, the Metropolitan Bishop of the four Roman Catholic dioceses in Iowa, called the selection of Msgr. Nickless as the next bishop for the Diocese of Sioux City an answer to his prayers to the Holy Spirit.

"We thank the Holy Father for providing a good shepherd to lead the clergy, religious and lay faithful of this venerable diocese," said Archbishop Hanus. "As we look forward to the January ordination of Bishop-elect Nickless, we assure him of our prayers and support."

Bishop-elect Nickless was ordained in 1973 and has spent his entire priestly ministry in various capacities in the Archdiocese of Denver. Most recently, he has served as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lakewood, Colo., and Vicar General of the Archdiocese. Msgr. Nickless was nominated Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Pope John Paul II in 1996.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of the Archdiocese of Denver, commenting on the selection, said Msgr. Nickless had served the Church in Northern Colorado in a distinguished manner.

"He's been an outstanding pastor, vicar for clergy, vicar general, friend and counselor," said Archbishop Chaput. "He has a great heart for families and a deep devotion to Catholic education and his brother priests. We'll miss him sorely but also feel great joy for the people of the Diocese of Sioux City. They will quickly find in him a great brother and shepherd."

The 58-year-old bishop-elect attended Bishop Machebeuf High School, St. Thomas Seminary, the University of Denver and the North American College in Rome where he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Msgr. Nickless holds an S.T.B. in Sacred Theology and a master's degree in Pastoral Theology from the Gregorian.

When he received notice of the appointment in an Oct. 31 phone call from Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, the Papal Nuncio in Washington, that Pope Benedict XVI had appointed him to be the Bishop for the Diocese of Sioux City, Msgr. Nickless said he was surprised but very excited.

"In addition to the immediate sensation of humility and a little fear, I consider it a great honor to come to work with the clergy and people of the Diocese of Sioux City, and I look forward to it," said Msgr. Nickless. "I want to be a good pastor, father and shepherd and intend to work very closely with the priests of the diocese to do the work of the Lord."

The Diocese of Sioux City of Sioux City has been without a bishop since Jan. 16, 2004, when Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo was named Co-adjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas. Upon Bishop DiNardo's departure, Msgr. Roger J. Augustine has served as diocesan administrator. Msgr. Augustine welcomed the news from the Holy Father.

"I join the entire community in welcoming Bishop-elect Nickless to the Diocese of Sioux City," said Msgr. Augustine. "His ministry has been filled with good works and we are excited to have him as our new shepherd."

Msgr. Nickless' experience in the Archdiocese of Denver includes being pastor of the Shrine of St. Anne Parish in Arvada, Colo. and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lakewood, Colo., and a number of major administrative positions. He served as Vicar for Clergy and Seminarians for 13 years in addition to terms as Vicar General, member of the College of Consultors, member of Archdiocesan Priest's Retirement Com- mittee and Assistant Vocations Director for Seminarians.

Msgr. Nickless is the son of R. Walker Nickless and E. Margaret McGovern Nickless. There are ten children in his family, four brothers and five sisters.

Msgr. Nickless will be ordained as Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City on Jan. 20, 2006, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. Further details on the Episcopal ordination will be released in the coming weeks.