Bishop-elect asks for continued prayers

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
November 17, 2005

Approaching two years without a bishop - the longest vacant see in the country - the long awaited word about a new bishop for the Diocese of Sioux City came at a press conference held Nov. 10 at the Central Catholic Offices in Sioux City.

The administrator of the diocese, Msgr. Roger Augustine, said he welcomed the bishop-elect with great joy and happiness. Those words of welcome were extended to Msgr. Walker Nickless, a priest of the Archdiocese of Denver.

"This is a great day of excitement for me, but also a day of emotion - so please forgive me if I don't find the right words to say everything exactly the way I would want to in my heart," the bishop-elect humbly said.

Msgr. Nickless extended thanks to the Holy Father for his confidence in him.

"In every way, Pope Benedict XVI embodies what a priest, a bishop, and a man of Catholic faith and scholarship should be. To be given this task by him is a very special gift," said the bishop-elect. "I also want to thank Msgr. Augustine for his friendship, his stewardship and his wonderful welcome. I feel at home already. The warmth I've already received from my brother priests and some of the people I have met is extraordinary."

Msgr. Nickless pointed out that he received "the call" from the apostolic nuncio on Halloween and acknowledged that it was a very scary call.

"My first reaction was fear, then great humility for such a wonderful opportunity to be a bishop and then a little bit of sadness for leaving Denver and my family, but finally great excitement and joy. The challenge is going to be wonderful. I really look forward to it," said the 58-year-old native of Denver.

He said that he was pleased to be a part of the Diocese of Sioux City.

"I know that many of you hold Archbishop DiNardo in great esteem and admiration. I spoke with him last night and he assured me this is one of the greatest dioceses in all of the country," said Msgr. Nickless. "He is a man of uncommon goodness and grace. I promise to follow his example in serving this local church and the people of God who are here."

From now on, he said, the Diocese of Sioux City is his home.

To the priests and deacons of the diocese, the bishop-elect promised his friendship and support.

"I ask for your patience and help, I will need them both," he said.

He also asked the religious and lay people of the diocese for their prayers so "that I can be the kind of bishop that God wants. The kind of bishop the church needs. With all my heart, I want to be a bishop for all the people."

The bishop-elect said he thinks that every diocese has a special vocation, just as every individual might. He added that he believes God intends for the church and people here to be a witness of what the heart of America really is. Standing for the things that really matter in life such as good marriages, strong families, solid Catholic education, a love of neighbor, personal character and zeal for the common good.

Everyone, he stressed, has been called to be people of substance and purpose.

"God made us to make a difference and we will achieve that if we dedicate our lives to becoming an icon, an image of Jesus Christ and a new sign of Catholic confidence in bringing our country back to the Gospel," said Msgr. Nickless.

What are his plans for the future?

The bishop-elect said his plan was to listen to all of the people in the diocese.

He extended gratitude to Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver whose example of humor, energy, patience and tremendous love for the church has taught him how to be a bishop.

"I'll always be grateful to the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Denver who prepared me for this new life I begin today," said Msgr. Nickless. "I also want to thank my family, especially my parents for their love which has sustained me in my priesthood and throughout my vocation. Whatever qualities brought me to this point, I owe to my parents."

Above all, stressed the bishop-elect, he thanked God for his priesthood and for leading him to his new family - the Diocese of Sioux City.

"May God give me the grace to build on all that has been accomplished here already," he said.