New Bishop For New Ulm, Minnesota

Fr. LeVoir asked the "the clergy, the religious, and the people of the diocese to be patient with me and to pray for me, as I will for them."

VATICAN CITY (CNA) - This morning Pope Benedict appointed Fr. John LeVoir as the fourth bishop of New Ulm. The new bishop succeeds Archbishop John C. Nienstedt who was recently appointed as archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

In a statement, Archbishop Nienstedt expressed his delight at the news of Fr. Levoir's appointment, explaining that the bishop-elect:

"(I)s a priest of deep devotion to Christ and the teachings of His Church. He is also a skilled administrator, having a solid background in the areas of accounting and finance. He has served as a mentor for many of our younger priests. But overall, it is his love for souls - the people entrusted to his pastoral care - that marks the goodness of this man."

He continued by affirming that "the Holy Father has made an 'excellent' match in appointing Bishop-designate LeVoir to this very rural, local Church."

Born in Minneapolis in 1946, the bishop-elect LeVoir studied chemistry, business, history and theology prior to his priestly ordination in 1981.

In a statement released by Fr. LeVoir, he explained that his "background is that of a parish priest," most recently serving as the pastor of St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater, a position he has held since 2004.

Fr. LeVoir also addressed his new flock by calling on "the clergy, the religious, and the people of the diocese to be patient with me and to pray for me, as I will for them. With the help of God's grace, I will do my best to be a faithful shepherd."

The bishop-elect will serve 66,785 Catholics and 58 priests.

The date for Fr. John LeVoir's episcopal ordination has yet to be scheduled.

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