Live from Indy... Well, Close Enough

Here below, courtesy of the Lafayette diocese, this afternoon's Cathedral presser introducing Bishop-elect Tim Doherty:


According to the freshly-retired Bishop William Higi, the most likely date for the ordination/installation is July 15th.

Among other reasons, the ordination will be notable as it'll be the first high-hat making celebrated by Indy's Archbishop Daniel Buechlein OSB, who became head of the Indiana province in 1992.

Now 72, the former St Meinrad dean and bishop of Memphis recently underwent surgery to remove an abdominal mass, which was conclusively ruled benign last week.

Diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in early 2008, the cancer went into remission within six months. While speculation in some quarters has insisted that Buechlein's health could prompt his early departure from the helm of the 232,000-member Indy church, informed sources report that the scenario hasn't even been authoritatively considered, let alone acted upon.

That said, one early resignation for health reasons is said to be pending elsewhere on these shores, and likely to be accepted over the coming days.

As of this writing, though, with the US church's longest-pending age-induced opening now filled, four Stateside dioceses now stand vacant, with another five led by ordinaries serving past the retirement age of 75.

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