Pope Francis Appoints Wichita's Bishop Jackels to lead Dubuque

It was a little surprising for me to wake up and learn that our dear Bishop Jackels is being re-assigned. I will definitely miss him! Here is the story from Rocco Palmo at Whispers in the Loggia:

At Roman Noon today, the pontiff (Pope Francis) named Bishop Michael Jackels of Wichita as coadjutor-archbishop of Dubuque. A CDF aide to the future B16  from 1997-2005, the Kansas prelate – who turns 59 on Saturday – will eventually succeed Archbishop Jerome Hanus OSB, 72, at the helm of the church in Iowa, in the historic outpost that's home to the famous "Field of Dreams."

Such was Jackels' comfort with his longtime boss that, when he stepped up to greet the now Pope-emeritus during the annual orientation for new bishops in September 2005, the usually-reserved Benedict is said to have exclaimed "Look at you!" at the sight. Not having seen Joseph Ratzinger since his election, the story goes that the junior prelate shot right back at the Pope by saying "Look at YOU!"

Snipped from the Diocesan Catholic Advance:

The Most Rev. Michael O. Jackels, bishop of the Diocese of Wichita has been appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa. He will be installed May 30.

Archbishop-elect Jackels said in a statement: "It has been a great experience for me to pray and work with the priests, religious, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Wichita, to yoke ourselves together, sharing responsibility to continue the mission of Jesus in his Church here. Thanks be to God! I am confident that I will be able to say the same about the Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese of Dubuque."

He continued, "It is with no little sadness that I prepare to leave the Diocese of Wichita. But in light of Mary's response to God's call to be the mother of the Savior, or of the example of Pope Francis who cheerfully took up a new and demanding ministry, how could I not say 'yes.' Let us pray for one another in this time of transition."

Here's more about Bishop Jackels' background from CNA:

Archbishop-designate Jackels was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, and will celebrate his 59th birthday on April 13.

He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln on May 30, 1981. During his time as a priest he served as the pastor of the University of Nebraska’s Newman Center in Lincoln, assistant director of the diocese’s vocations office and director of Hispanic ministry.

Between 1997 and 2005 he served as an official at the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

On January 28, 2005 he was appointed Bishop of Wichita, Kansas and was consecrated a bishop on April 4 of the same year.

Archbishop-designate Jackels speaks English, Italian and Spanish. He will be serving 206,843 lay Catholics, 216 priests, 91permanent deacons and 861 religious, all spread out over 17,403 square miles.