| New
bishop named
Pope Francis announced at the Vatican recently that he had accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael P. Driscoll,  Seventh
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, and named Bishop Peter F.
Christensen, of the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, as Eighth Bishop of
Boise.
“I would like to thank the Holy Father Pop Francis, Archbishop Carlos Maria Vigano and all who made possibly this opportunity to serve the church in Idaho. I am humbled by the Holy Father’s confidence in me, and pray that I may be worthy of his trust,” Bishop Christensen said at a press conference Nov. 4 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. “This is a wonderful and diverse state with beautiful mountain and prairies, deserts, rivers and green valleys. Yet nothing reveals the love of God for this community more than the good works and faithfulness of his people. I look forward to seeing the beauty of creation through the holiness and love of Idaho Catholics, and hope that you see God’s love reflected in me in the same way.” Bishop Driscoll, who submitted his letter of resignation to the pope on August 8, when he turned 75 years old, applauded the pope’s choice for Idaho’s new bishop. “I am thrilled with the selection of Bishop Christensen as the next Bishop of Boise. He is a man of energy and prayer and love for the church, and will find in Idaho a community of committed and faithful Catholics willing to serve and follow him in the years ahead. I am also grateful to Pope Francis for granting my request for retirement,” Bishop Driscoll said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving the people and the Catholic Church of Idaho.” Bishop Christensen will be installed as Bishop of Boise at a Mass Dec. 17 in St. John Cathedral. Bishop Driscoll will continue to oversee the daily governance of the diocese until Bishop Christensen is installed. |
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