Diocese of Sioux City has new shepherd

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
January 26, 2006

It's official. After nearly two years with a vacant see, the Diocese of Sioux City now has a bishop. The episcopal ordination of Bishop R. Walker Nickless was held Jan. 20 at the Church of the Nativity in Sioux City. In the 104-year-old diocesan history, the Denver priest is the diocese's seventh bishop.

"The mission has begun," said the new bishop in closing remarks at the ordination. "May God the Father bless all of our efforts. May Jesus Christ continue to be the way, the truth and the life and may his Holy Spirit guide us always and be at our side. Let us give thanks and glory to God."

Nearly 1,000 people attended the two-and-one-half hour service. Representatives from every parish in the Diocese of Sioux City were invited to the celebration. Thirty-four bishops, one abbot, 109 priests and 25 deacons were among those in attendance. The Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard for the clergy. Bishop elect's parents and his nine siblings were among those in the congregation.

Archbishop Jerome Hanus of Dubuque, the metropolitan archbishop of the Iowa Province, was the principal consecrator. Archbishop Charles Chaput of the Archdiocese of Denver and Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, served as co-consecrators. Archbishop Chaput had been the new bishop's ordinary and Bishop Tobin is a seminary classmate of Bishop Nickless.

The bishop-elect was presented for ordination by Msgr. Roger Augustine, administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City following Scripture readings in Spanish, Vietnamese and English. The diocesan priest was elected to serve as the administrator shortly after the diocese's former bishop, Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo was assigned as co-adjutor archbishop for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

While the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo could not be present for the ordination, his representative extended words of congratulations to Bishop Nickless and words of gratitude to Msgr. Augustine.

The representative, Msgr. Robert Evans who serves as the apostolic nunciature in Washington, D.C., read the apostolic letter - the papal bulla - from Pope Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Hanus then delivered his homily, reminding the people that no one calls himself to be a bishop.

"The priest who will be ordained during this ceremony to serve as Bishop of Sioux City did not choose himself," he said. "Bishop Walker Nickless knows this very well. When he got the news from the pope's representative, informing him of the Holy Father's decision, it was not because he had any ambition to be bishop. Like most of us who have received a similar call, there was plenty of hesitation and doubt and fear."

He acknowledged that very few would choose to be a bishop, especially in this day and age for a variety of reasons.

"If one says yes to this call, it is because one has a great faith in Jesus. One says yes, only out of love of Christ and his church," said Archbishop Hanus. "Saying yes required sacrifice and loss, and will require much more sacrifice in the years ahead."

The archbishop explained that Bishop Nickless' agenda as a bishop is three-fold: to teach, to sanctify and to govern.

As a teacher, the homilist said that the new bishop would proclaim the Word of God.

"A bishop is able to teach the truth because the Spirit of the Lord has come upon him," said the archbishop. "The Holy Spirit will come upon your new bishop through the imposition of hands by all of the bishops here present."

In the second task - to sanctify - Archbishop Hanus said that Bishop Nickless was to serve as priest for the people of God.

The third task of a bishop, the homilist said was to shepherd the flock that is committed to his care, to imitate Jesus whom Catholics recognize as the Good Shepherd and model of all pastors.

"Governing a church must be done with charity," said Archbishop Hanus. "Charity must be the motive and the driving force. That is true of all the tasks of a bishop: teaching with charity, sanctifying with charity, governing with charity."

The Promise of the Elect followed. The principal celebrant informed the people that ancient rule dictates that a bishop-elect be questioned in the presence of the people on his resolve to uphold the faith and to discharge his duty.

Following the promises, the bishop-elect prostrated himself before the altar during the Litany of Saints.

All of the bishops and archbishops took part in the ancient tradition of Laying on of Hands, in which they invoked the Holy Spirit.

In the prayer of consecration, Archbishop Hanus prayed, "Grant, O Father, knower of all hearts, that this is your servant whom you have chosen for the office of bishop may shepherd your holy flock. Serving you night and day, may he fulfill before you without reproach the ministry of the high priesthood; so that, always gaining your favor, he may offer up the gifts of your holy church."

During that prayer, the Book of Gospel was held above Bishop Nickless' head.

Following the prayer of consecration, the archbishop anointed Bishop Nickless' head with oil and then gave the new bishop the Book of Gospels. Bishop Hanus said that was a symbol that the new bishop may preach the Word of God with patience and sound teaching.

Bishop Nickless also received the bishop's insignia - the symbols of office - the ring, miter and crozier. The Sign of Peace concluded the Rite of Ordination and the ceremony moved to the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

As the Eucharistic celebration concluded, Bishop Nickless - accompanied by by Archbishop Chaput and Bishop Tobin - walked through the church, blessing those gathered.

"I'm feeling a lot of emotion," said Bishop Nickless in closing comments. I hope you will forgive me if I do not find all the right words to tell you what is in my heart."

The new bishop extended gratitude to the Holy Father for the appointment and the confidence that the pope held for him. He thanked the bishops, priests and deacons.

Addressing the priests and deacons of the Diocese of Sioux City, Bishop Nickless said, "I want you to know I have never been received more warmly and sincerely by brothers anywhere. Your extraordinary and generous gift means so much to me."

He promised his friendship and loyalty and said each was already in his prayers.

Bishop Nickless extended thanks to those who helped with the ordination and to all present, saying that he was overwhelmed with affection, warmth and welcome.

"People who live here, I think, don't understand how deep and beautiful the faith of the church of Iowa really is," he said. "Sometimes it's easier to be on the outside looking in to see the possibilities and hope. For me, serving the people of the diocese is a gift, a privilege and I pledge my life to that in the coming years."

He thanked his parents, Peggy and R. Walker Nickless, Sr., for their love "that has deepened in me in my priesthood throughout my vocation. Everything good in my life, you have helped me to create and shape."

To his nine siblings - five sisters and four brothers - he thanked them for their patience, humor and love over a lifetime and "for being true to the witness our parents have given in their lives."

Finally and "above all" he thanked God for his priesthood and for this new work. Bishop Nickless said he was confident that God would guide him as the Lord had already given him the best of mentors through the years.