Archbishop Fabre announces appointments

Following the resignation of Bishop Richard F. Stika on June 27, and in accord with canon law, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Knoxville, has announced a series of appointments to various consultative bodies which will assist him in the governance of the diocese until a new bishop is installed.

Presbyterial Council Pro Tempore

The presbyteral council acts as a senate of the bishop and is comprised of representative members of priests. It assists in the governance of the diocese so that the pastoral welfare of the people of God may be more effectively achieved. 

Archbishop Fabre has decreed to reconstitute the diocesan Presbyteral Council as the Presbyteral Council Pro Tempore, whose members are the same as the previous council, and who will serve in this capacity until the diocese receives a new bishop. The members are Father Joe Reed (chairman), Father Mark Schuster (vice chairman), Father Ray Powell (record secretary), Father David Boettner, Father David Carter, Father Dustin Collins, Father Michael Cummins, Father Charlie Donahue, CSP, Father Marcin Gladysz, Father Jim Harvey, Monsignor Al Humbrecht, Father Peter Iorio, Father Michael Nolan, Father Manuel Perez, Father Tim Sullivan, CSP. Archbishop Fabre will serve as president and Father Doug Owens will function as his delegate.

Special delegates for deaneries

The bishop of a diocese can group parishes into regional areas according to their geographic location. These regions are called deaneries. The Diocese of Knoxville has four deaneries. A dean or a special delegate coordinates the common pastoral activity of the priests and parishes in his area.

Archbishop Fabre has appointed the following special delegates to lead deaneries in the Diocese of Knoxville: Father Michael Cummins (Five Rivers Deanery), Father Peter Iorio (Smoky Mountain Deanery), Father Michael Nolan (Chattanooga Deanery), and Father Mark Schuster, (Cumberland Mountain Deanery).