Wednesday, April 25, 2007

New Bishop for the Twin Cities: Nienstedt

I don't have much time for blogging with my mother in the hospital and my current work schedule, but I wanted to get this off to you.

Rumor has been circulating for some time now, that a string of bishops would be appointed and long-time vacancies would finally be filled. This includes the vacancy Birmingham, Alabama - home town to EWTN. For now, the Twin Cities - St. Paul and Minneapolis, have themselves a new Co-Adjutor, who will work alongside Archbishop Flynn until he reaches mandatory retirement age in about a year.


John Clayton Nienstedt was an auxiliary bishop in Detroit before he was appointed the Ordinary of New Ulm. Reportedly, the bishop was turning things around in that diocese, which will now be vacant. He has a very impressive Curriculum Vitae

Clicking through some of his statements will reveal a man who is not disoriented when it comes to Catholic doctrine and morality. He took a stand on Terri Schiavo

Diocese's new leadership style sparks discontent (National Catholic Reporter). This one is well worth reading through if you want to learn something about the man. In it, he is disappointing some of the right people. Also, consider the source. If the National Catholic Reporter is holding a negative article about a bishop, it's probably a good thing. I start to worry when the Reporter is all giddy about a particular bishop.

Now, some made issue with a Tridentine "controversy and wondered if he was not open to it, but we need to understand the situation in which he denied a Tridentine liturgy - in context. In this letter, Bishop Nienstedt explains his reasoning for denying a man a Tridentine funeral. The entire letter should be read and he comes across to me as hardly anti-Tridentine. In fact, I found it good to see a bishop acknowledge the use of Latin in the Novus Ordo.


Fr. Zuhlsdorf has coverage and the comment box may be worth reading. I suggest reading that article on the Tridentine funeral first - in its entirety.