Springfield-Cape Girardeau bishop headed to Kansas City

MISSOURI
Springfield News-Leader

Harrison Keegan, News-Leader September 15, 2015

Springfield-Cape Girardeau Bishop James Johnston has been named the new bishop of the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese, according to a news release.

Pope Francis named Johnston to the new position on Tuesday. Johnston will replace Bishop Robert Finn who resigned from the Kansas City-St. Joseph position in April amid allegations that he mishandled a priest accused of sexual abuse.

Johnston was consecrated as bishop for the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese in 2008 and he will remain in that position until Nov. 4, according to the release.

A Knoxville, Tennessee native, Johnston left a career in engineering in 1985 to pursue the priesthood, according to the release.

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