By Emily Opilo
The Patriot-News
November 14, 2009
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/11/bishop_rhoades_to_leave_the_ha.html
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg has been transferred to a new post in Indiana.
An announcement about the move was made by the Vatican early Saturday morning. Rhoades has served as Bishop of Harrisburg since he was appointed in October 2004. Then 46, he was the youngest man to ever be named bishop in the United States.
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| Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg has been transferred to a new post in Indiana. Photo by Christopher Millette |
Now 51, Rhoades will lead the Dioces of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., home to the University of Notre Dame.
Rhoades will be installed as the bishop of the Fort Wayne diocese in January. He will succeed the retiring Bishop John M. D'Arcy, who served in that post for 24 years.
"It will not be easy for me to bid farewell to my family and friends, my brother priests and the faithful of the Harrisburg diocese," Rhoades said Saturday at a news conference in Indiana.
Rhoades grew up in Lebanon and served as a priest in the Diocese of Harrisburg for 26 years prior to being appointed bishop in 2004 by Pope John Paul II.
He quickly became popular with parishoners. He regularly visited Catholic schools and sometimes held services in Spanish. He reached out to various congregations and made special efforts to connect with various minority groups within the diocese. He also established a special office to minister to people with disabilities.
One of his most anticipated decisions came last year, when Rhoades announced that Bishop McDevitt High School would be moving out of Harrisburg after decades in the city. The new school is being built in Lower Paxton Twp., and Rhoades said that a new school would help enrollment. But he maintained that the diocese remains committed to serving the city of Harrisburg.
Rhoades traveled to Indiana on Friday in anticipation of the announcement. He will return to Harrisburg on Sunday.
Those attending mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Harrisburg Saturday night said that they were disappointed, but not surprised, to see Rhoades go, with many saying he is destined for great things. A sign inside the cathedral informed visitors about Rhoades' transfer.
"We'll miss him tremendously," said Vikki O'Leary of Steelton.
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