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Ordaining, installing our fourth shepherd

Diocese readies for Bishop-elect Beckman and a historic moment

By Jim Wogan and Emily Booker

“The Bishops, established by the Holy Spirit, succeed the Apostles. They are ‘the visible source and foundation of unity in their own particular Churches.’ Helped by the priests, their co-workers, and by deacons, the bishops have the duty of authentically teaching the faith, celebrating divine worship, above all the Eucharist, and guiding their churches as true pastors.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Diocese of Knoxville is abuzz as the ordination and installation of Bishop-elect James Mark Beckman is only days away.

Catholic faithful and others from across East Tennessee are making plans to attend the historic Mass that will ordain the Diocese of Nashville priest as the fourth shepherd of the Diocese of Knoxville.

Bishop-elect Beckman will be ordained and installed at 2 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Archbishop Fabre

The consecrator for the Mass of ordination and installation will be Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Co-consecrators will be Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Archbishop Fabre has been serving as the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Knoxville since Bishop Richard F. Stika retired on June 27, 2023.

The diocese’s three previous ordinations and installations were for Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell on Sept. 8, 1988, at the former Knoxville Convention and Exhibition Center on the World’s Fair site; for Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz on Dec. 8, 1999, at the Knoxville Convention and Exhibition Center; and for Bishop Stika on March 19, 2009, at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Tickets to Bishop-elect Beckman’s ordination and installation are required to attend and are being distributed on a first-come, first-served basis through the Diocese of Knoxville website, dioknox.org/episcopal-ordination.

The website provides information on ticket registration; hotel information and discount rates; a parking map and shuttle schedule; a bishop, priest, and VIP parking map; a Knoxville Convention Center map; and how to view the ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Beckman via livestream on DioKnoxTV.

The Knoxville Convention Center is located at 701 Henley St. in downtown Knoxville. Doors to the convention center will open at 11:45 a.m. The music prelude for the Mass will begin at 1 p.m., and it is asked that all attendees be seated by 1:30 p.m.

The Mass will begin at 2 p.m. EDT and will last approximately two and a half hours.

Despite the large space provided by the Knoxville Convention Center, attendance is expected to be high, which is why tickets are required for entry into the convention center.

Once individuals register for a ticket online, they will receive a confirmation via their e-mail address. This confirmation e-mail is required to enter the Knoxville Convention Center on the day of the Mass. The e-mail confirmation can be printed or presented on mobile phones.

Those not receiving an e-mail confirmation should re-register using an active e-mail address.

The ordination and installation is an occasion of joy for the entire Catholic Church, and all are invited. The diocese expects attendees from East Tennessee and the Diocese of Nashville, as well as visiting bishops and dignitaries from around the United States and outside the country. The convention center can accommodate more than 5,000 attendees inside the Level 1 Exhibition Hall, where the Mass will take place. The convention center will allow for a comfortable, safe, and joyful celebration.

After considering multiple options, the convention center was selected because its capacity allows the greatest number of faithful from the Diocese of Knoxville and the Diocese of Nashville and beyond to attend this historic event in person. The convention center also offers ample space for the ancillary events. Also, being in the heart of downtown Knoxville, it is in close proximity to hotels and restaurants.

The Mass will be professionally livestreamed on the Diocese of Knoxville’s YouTube page, DioKnoxTV. The broadcast will begin at approximately 1 p.m. on July 26.

Unfortunately, child care will not be available at the Mass. Those attending are asked to make plans accordingly.

Courtesy shuttle buses will operate from 11:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. between the 11th Street and White Avenue parking garages and the convention center’s main entrance. Both garages offer free parking.

Shuttles will run from the end of the Mass until 5:45 p.m.

Knights of Columbus will be present at each shuttle stop to assist with questions.

The Locust Street Parking Garage is not free, but it is a short walk across the Sky Bridge to the convention center. Points of entry for the garage are on Locust Street and Walnut Street. There will not be a shuttle stop at this location.

Bishops, priests, and VIPs can park at 906 Poplar St. near the Convention Center Level 2 entrance. Vesting for clergy will be on Level 2.

Attendees are asked to enter the convention center through the main entrance facing Clinch Avenue through the doors according to the first letter of their last names. This is where the shuttle buses will drop attendees off and pick them up.

Once an attendee’s ticket has been confirmed, he or she will be directed to the escalators and to Level 1, where the ordination will take place.

There are several hotels in Knoxville close to the convention center with special rates for ordination attendees. Hotel booking links are available at dioknox.org/episcopal-ordination.

Among the other clergy expected to attend the Mass are Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Benin City, Nigeria; Bishop Robert J. Baker, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Birmingham; Archbishop Fabre; Bishop Johnston; Bishop Joel M. Konzen, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta; Archbishop Emeritus Joseph E. Kurtz of the Archdiocese of Louisville; Bishop Michael T. Martin of the Diocese of Charlotte; Bishop William F. Medley of the Diocese of Owensboro; Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of the Archdiocese of Mobile; Bishop Spalding; Bishop David P. Talley of the Diocese of Memphis; Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of the Diocese of Tucson; Bishop Emeritus J. Terry Steib, SVD, of the Diocese of Memphis; Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., of the Diocese of Lexington; and Bishop John C. Iffert of the Diocese of Covington.

Bishop-elect Beckman has announced deanery Masses and a Mass in Spanish that he will be celebrating in the Diocese of Knoxville following his ordination and installation.

  • On Tuesday, July 30, Bishop Beckman will be at St. Patrick Church in Morristown in the Five Rivers Deanery for a 6 p.m. Mass;
  • On Wednesday, July 31, he will be at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa in the Smoky Mountain Deanery for a 6 p.m. Mass;
  • On Thursday, Aug. 1, he will be at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut in the Cumberland Mountain Deanery for a 6 p.m. Mass;
  • On Friday, Aug. 2, he will be at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga in the Chattanooga Deanery for a 6 p.m. Mass.

And at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, Bishop Beckman will celebrate Mass for the Hispanic community in the Diocese of Knoxville at All Saints Church in Knoxville.

Comments 2

  1. I can’t attend the ordination, but will be watching the livestream. I understand that there will be a paper program. Is it possible to get a pdf of the program?

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