October is proving to be a busy month for episcopal appoitments in the U.S. Yesterday, the Holy Father appointed Fr. Paul D. Etienne a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The bishop-elect is 50. Bishop-elect Etienne succeeds Bishop David Ricken, who was transferred to the Diocese of Green Bay in July 2008.
With the this appointment eight Latin Rite bishops in the U.S. continue to serve past the canonical retirement age of 75 and 6 Latin Rite dioceses are vacant: Owensboro, KY; Milwaukee, WI; Ogdensburg, NY; Springfield, Il; Austin, TX; Scranton, PA.
Veni Sancti Spiritus, veni per Mariam.
