SIOUX CITY, Iowa, NOV. 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI has named Monsignor Walker Nickless, of the Archdiocese of Denver, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City.
Bishop-elect Nickless, 58, was ordained in 1973 and has spent his entire priestly ministry in various capacities in Denver. Most recently, he has served as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lakewood, Colorado, and vicar general of the archdiocese.
He studied at the Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a master’s in pastoral theology.
The Diocese of Sioux City has been without a bishop since Jan. 16, 2004, when Bishop Daniel DiNardo was named coadjutor bishop of Galveston-Houston, in Texas.
Monsignor Roger Augustine, who has been serving as diocesan administrator in Sioux City, welcomed the Holy Father’s appointment of Monsignor Nickless.
Monsignor Nickless, whose appointment was announced today by the Vatican press office, will be ordained as bishop on Jan. 20 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.
On Wednesday, the Vatican press office reported that the Pope accepted the resignation of Bishop Kenneth Angell from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Burlington, Vermont.
Bishop Angell, who submitted his retirement on reaching the age limit of 75, is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Salvatore Matano, 59.
Bishop Matano was named coadjutor by Pope John Paul II in March.
