MyFox N.E.
July 9, 2008
http://www.myfoxnewisconsin.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6942614&version=5&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a new bishop to the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay.
Most Rev. David Ricken will be the 12th bishop of the diocese. He comes to Green Bay from the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
According to a Green Bay Diocese news release, Ricken, 55, is a native of Dodge City, Kansas. Ricken was born Nov. 9, 1952, to George William “Bill” and Bertha (Davis) Ricken. He attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Grade School in Dodge City, and St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, Kansas, before entering college at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, (1970-72) and graduating from Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri, in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Ricken conducted his theological studies for the Diocese of Pueblo at St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana and the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium where he earned his STB (master’s equivalent) degree and completed his seminary formation.
 |
| Most Rev. David Ricken |
Ricken was ordained a priest on Sept. 12, 1980, by the bishop of Pueblo, Arthur Tafoya, at La Junta Catholic Parish in southeast Colorado. His first appointment was as associate pastor to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo. Five years later, he was named the administrator of Holy Rosary Parish in Pueblo and vice chancellor of the diocese.
In 1987, then-Father Ricken attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he received his Licentiate degree (J.C.L.) in Canon Law (church law) in 1989. Upon returning to the diocese, was appointed the vocation director and vicar for ministry formation. Three years later, he added diocesan chancellor to his responsibilities as well as assisting in the Diocesan Tribunal. He served in these positions until Oct. 1, 1996, when he was nominated to be an official of the Congregation for the Clergy at the Vatican where he served through December 1999.
On Jan. 6, 2000, Ricken was ordained to the episcopacy for the Diocese of Cheyenne at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome by Pope John Paul II. The Mass of Welcome to the Diocese of Cheyenne took place on Feb. 11, 2000, in Cheyenne. On Sept. 26, 2001, Ricken succeeded Bishop Joseph Hart as the leader of the Diocese of Cheyenne.
Ricken will take possession of the diocese at a special ceremony on Thursday, August 28.
Green Bay Diocese leaders have scheduled a news conference for 11:00 this morning.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.