KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Pope Francis has appointed Reverend James Mark Beckman as Bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee, almost a year after the previous bishop resigned under pressure following claims he mishandled sex abuse allegations. The Vatican announced the appointment in its Tuesday noon bulletin. As is usual, the announcement made no mention of his predecessor or the circumstances under which he left the post. Bishop-elect Beckman is a priest of the Diocese of Nashville where he has served as pastor of Saint Henry parish since 2015, according to the announcement. He earned his master’s degree in religious studies from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium in 1989 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1990 for the Diocese of Nashville. Pope Francis accepted Bishop Richard Stika’s resignation last June, closing a turbulent chapter for the southern U.S. diocese that was marked by a remarkable revolt by some of its priests. They accused Stika of abusing his authority during his 14 years as bishop of Knoxville and protecting a seminarian accused of sexual misconduct. They appealed to the Vatican for “merciful relief” in 2021, citing their own mental health, sparking a Vatican investigation that led to Stika’s resignation. In media interviews, Stika strongly defended his actions and his leadership, saying he worked to bring unity in the diocese. |
Xi Lands in Riyadh for ChinaMore World Leaders Mourn Former Chinese Leader Jiang ZeminChina Focus: Chinese People Continue to Mourn Jiang ZeminXi Calls for Building ChinaMore World Leaders Mourn Passing of Former Chinese Leader Jiang ZeminXi's Overseas Trip Demonstrates China's Commitment to Global Growth, GovernanceFull Text of Xi Jinping's Speech at Memorial Meeting for Comrade Jiang Zemin'Red Building,' a Witness of China's RevolutionCPC Leadership Analyzes Economic Work for Next Year, Makes Arrangements for AntiChina Ready to Coordinate with New Zealand for Peace, Stability in Pacific Islands Region, Says Xi