Bishop Dennis Walsh“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Bishop-elect John Keehner on his appointment to the See of Sioux City. I offer him my fraternal support and assure him of my continued prayers as he prepares to lead the faithful of the Diocese of Sioux City. May God bless his ministry among them,” the Davenport bishop wrote.He also expressed his appreciation for the faithful service of retiring Bishop Nickless.
Archbishop Zinkula“As a proud Iowa native, I can confidently affirm that Bishop-elect Keehner will be met with a community of clergy and laity that is welcoming and steadfast in faith. And as the metropolitan archbishop of the Province of Dubuque [State of Iowa], it is a pleasure to welcome Father John to the Hawkeye State as he joins Bishop Dennis Walsh of Davenport as yet another esteemed spiritual father from the Buckeye State! May the prayers of the Iowa faithful assist Bishop-elect Keehner in his new ministry and continue supporting Bishop Nickless in his retirement.”
Bishop-elect Keehner and Bishop Nickless distribute Communion at MassHe pursued studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio where he double-majored in English and Latin American studies. He also studied at St. Mary’s of the West Seminary in Cincinnati where he earned a master of divinity and master of arts in biblical studies. The bishop-elect later received a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.