Bishop Stika appoints two diocesan deans

Bishop Richard F. Stika announced Sept. 19 that he has appointed two new deans for the Diocese of Knoxville.

“Father Charlie Burton has accepted my request to serve as dean of the Chattanooga Deanery, and Father Peter Iorio has accepted my request to serve as dean of the Five Rivers Deanery,” Bishop Stika said. “Both appointments are for three years with the option of an additional term. Both appointments are effective Oct. 1, 2013.

“I am very grateful to both Charlie and Peter for accepting this additional work in the diocese.

“Both Monsignor Bob Hofstetter [Five Rivers] and Monsignor George Schmidt [Chattanooga] have served with distinction in their capacity as deans, and I wish again to thank them for their leadership. Both continue to give so much to the good people of the Diocese of Knoxville, and both have a great love of the priesthood!

“I am also grateful to Monsignor Pat Garrity and Father Ron Franco, CSP, in their capacity as the other two deans of the Diocese of Knoxville.”