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Decree regarding Sibley St. Andrew and Sheldon St. Patrick parishes

Decree regarding Dow City St. Mary Church

Decree regarding St. Mary Parish in Larchwood and Holy Name Parish in Rock Rapids.

Today, on the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Bishop John E. Keehner promulgated his first pastoral letter, Sic Deus Dilexit Mundum: God So Loved the World, a pastoral reflection on the meaning of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for Our World Today.

Bishop John E. Keehner names a diocesan priest as parish administrator.

Bishop John E. Keehner received two decisions from Vatican courts, upholding decrees he promulgated Nov. 10, 2025. Two diocesan parishioners challenged the decrees with appeals to the courts.

Bishop John Keehner names a retired priest as parish administrator.

(Bilingual) Official priest assignments from Bishop John E. Keehner.

Bishop John E. Keehner issues an official letter accepting Deacon Robert Lenz's request to retire.

Decree promulgated incardinating Father Francis S. Makwinja as a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City.

Bishop John E. Keehner's General decree establishing the seventh edition of the Ethical and religious directives for Catholic Health Care Services as particular law in the Diocese of Sioux City.

Official letters from Bishop John E. Keehner accepting requests for retirement from two permanent deacons, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Bishop John E. Keehner received two letters appealing decrees promulgated on Nov. 10. One decree erected the parish of St. Donatus in Alton by merging the parishes of St. Mary in Alton, St. Joseph in Granville and St. Anthony in Hospers. The second decree expanded St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denison by merging the parishes of Sacred Heart in Manning, St. Ann in Vail and St. Rose of Lima in Denison.

Decree from Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Donatus of Alton

Decree from Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Rose of Lima Parish of Denison

Decree from Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Mary Church in Pomeroy.

(bilingual) The four Catholic bishops of Iowa, through the Iowa Catholic Conference, have released a pastoral reflection on the Church’s teaching on immigration and the dignity of the human person. Entitled “Pilgrims of Hope: A Pastoral Reflection on Immigration,” the letter asks the People of God to uphold the dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God, “by welcoming the stranger, defending the oppressed, and standing in solidarity with those who are displaced.” Los cuatro obispos Católicos de Iowa, a través de la Conferencia Católica de Iowa, han publicado una reflexión pastoral sobre la enseñanza de la Iglesia acerca de inmigración y la dignidad de la persona humana. Titulada “Peregrinos de Esperanza: Una Reflexión Pastoral sobre Inmigración”, la carta pide al Pueblo de Dios que defienda la dignidad de la persona humana, creada a imagen y semejanza de Dios, “acogiendo al extranjero, defendiendo al oprimido y solidarizándose con los desplazados”.

(bilingual) Bishop John Keehner's letter of support to urge the faithful to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza. This follows the USCCB statement of Aug. 20: “The situation in Gaza and across the Middle East cries out for the assistance of the Catholic community of the United States,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In a letter to the U.S. bishops, he asked them to consider taking up a voluntary special collection in their dioceses, if they are able, to support the efforts of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA). Both organizations have well-established partnerships with the Catholic Church in the region to allow them to respond quickly and efficiently.

Decree by Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denison

Decree from Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Donatus Parish.