Pope Appoints Nebraska Priest As Next Bishop of Fargo Diocese
In-Forum
FARGO – Pope Francis today appointed Monsignor John Thomas Folda of Nebraska to be the next bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo. The Holy See made the announcement at noon in Rome, or 5 a.m. Fargo time, according to diocese spokeswoman Tanya Watterud. The Fargo Diocese serves more than 72,000 Catholics and 132 parishes and missions in the eastern half of North Dakota. Folda will be the eighth bishop of Fargo, succeeding Bishop Samuel Aquila, who was named archbishop of the Archdiocese of Denver on May 29. Bishop David Kagan of Bismarck will continue to serve as apostolic administrator for the Fargo diocese until the episcopal ordination of Folda, which is expected to take place in the second half of June. A press conference to introduce Folda will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at the Diocese of Fargo Pastoral Center, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S. The 51-year-old Folda was born in Omaha, Neb., and is a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb. He currently serves as rector of St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Neb. According to a biography provided by the diocese: Folda is the youngest of three children. He grew up in Omaha, where he attended St. Thomas More Grade School and Archbishop Ryan High School. After graduating from high school in 1979, he attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he studied architecture and electrical engineering. In August 1983, Folda entered seminary formation for the Diocese of Lincoln. He attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and graduated in 1985 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He continued his theological studies at St. Charles Seminary, where he earned a master of divinity degree in 1988 and a master of arts in theology in 1989. On May 27, 1989, Folda was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Lincoln by Bishop Glennon Patrick Flavin. For two years, he served as parochial vicar at Cathedral of the Risen Christ, and was a teacher of religion at Pius X High School in Lincoln. In 1991, Folda was sent to Rome, where he earned a licentiate in sacred theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas. Upon returning to the Diocese of Lincoln in 1993, he was assigned as pastor of St. Paulinus Church in Syracuse and Holy Trinity Church in Avoca. He was also guidance counselor and teacher of religion at Lourdes Central Catholic Schools in Nebraska City. During this time, he also served as assistant to the vicar general of the Diocese of Lincoln. In 1995, Folda was appointed pastor of St. Leo Church in Palmyra and St. Martin Church in Douglas, while continuing to work in the diocesan offices. In 1997, he was appointed diocesan director of religious education, co-vicar for religious, master of ceremonies, and censor librorum. He was also appointed delegate of the bishop to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and continues as vice president of the board of directors. Folda has been a member of the board of the Nebraska Catholic Conference since 1993. He has also been a member of the Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, Finance Council, Priests’ Continuing Education Committee, Catholic Social Services Board and the Ethics Committee of St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. In 1999, Folda was appointed rector of St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Neb. He served as president of the National Association of College Seminaries from 2008 to 2010. On Oct. 10, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named him “Chaplain of His Holiness” with the title of monsignor.
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