Bishop reflects on the Holy Father who appointed him to lead diocese

By Jim Wogan Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali had special relationships with Pope Benedict XVI, something one would expect between a bishop of Rome and a priest he named to lead one of the Church’s dioceses and between two members of the College of Cardinals. Bishop Stika …

Bishop Stika leads local memorial Mass for Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Rigali, who knew Benedict for years, concelebrated cathedral service By Dan McWilliams Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated a memorial Mass for Pope Benedict XVI on Jan. 4, the day before the Holy Father was laid to rest at the Vatican after he passed away on Dec. 31. Cardinal Justin …

Bishop Stika, Cardinal Rigali react to the death of Pope Benedict XVI

By Jim Wogan Benedict XVI was pope emeritus longer than he was pope, and the sum of his influence on the Catholic Church will be analyzed and debated for decades and perhaps even centuries to come. Among those who served with and eventually under the man once known as Father, …

World mourns following the death of Pope Benedict XVI

His eight years serving the papacy capped a long ministry as teacher of the faith By Cindy Wooden/Catholic News Service Retired Pope Benedict XVI, who had an impressive record as a teacher and defender of the basics of Catholic faith, is likely to go down in history books as the …

A closer look at the 2013 conclave’s papal electors

VATICAN CITY — The group of cardinals preparing to enter a conclave to elect a new pope is slightly older — by four months — than the group that elected 78-year-old Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 2005. Pope Benedict XVI, now 85, said his age and diminishing energy prompted him to …

Media coverage shifting focus to College of Cardinals

As His Holiness Benedict XVI fulfilled his resignation intention Feb. 28, ending his eight-year pontificate, the College of Cardinals that will select the pope emeritus’ successor has indicated it will hold a March 4 meeting to schedule a papal conclave. News of Benedict XVI’s departure has gripped the world and …

In farewell to cardinals, Pope Benedict pledges obedience to next pope

  VATICAN CITY — The Clementine Hall is traditionally the place where cardinals bid farewell to popes at the end of a pontificate, but usually when the pope in question is lying in state before his funeral. But on Feb. 28, hours before resigning from the papacy, Pope Benedict XVI …

Diocesan faithful give Cardinal Rigali a memorable send-off

In a turnout befitting a pope—or a cardinal—more than a thousand well-wishers were on hand Feb. 26 at All Saints Church and McGhee Tyson Airport to see Cardinal Justin Rigali as he departed for Rome, where he will join the College of Cardinals in a conclave to elect the next …

A world of thanks to Pope Benedict as pontificate ends

Cardinal Justin Rigali is one of 117 College of Cardinals electors assembling for Vatican conclave to choose next pontiff The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 11 shocked Catholics around the world, including those in the Diocese of Knoxville, which is home to papal elector Cardinal Justin Rigali. Pope …

Church affairs continue even without a pope

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—When Pope Benedict XVI officially left office at 8 p.m. Feb. 28, most of the top-level Vatican officials lost their jobs, but that does not mean the majority of Vatican employees get a vacation. Although Catholics inside and outside the Vatican love to complain about its unwieldy bureaucracy, …

Diocese of Knoxville plays role in papal succession

Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement Monday that he will resign effective Feb. 28 took the world by surprise, prompting Diocese of Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali, who is in residence in the diocese, to meet with East Tennessee media representatives and brief them on the pontiff’s decision. …