For Immediate Release: January 12, 2018

Bishop Barry C. Knestout Installed as 13th Shepherd
of Catholic Diocese of Richmond

Clergy, faithful, civic leaders fill to capacity Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
for Installation Mass steeped in pageantry, history

(RICHMOND, Va.) – Catholics in the Diocese of Richmond today welcomed their new shepherd, Bishop Barry C. Knestout, 55, who was installed as its 13^th bishop in a special liturgy rich in historical significance and symbolism at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond.
 
The Mass of Installation where Bishop Knestout was introduced to a crowd of approximately 1,200 occurred almost five months after the death of the diocese’s 12^th bishop, Francis X. DiLorenzo. Catholics trace the lineage of their bishops and the pope to Jesus’ 12 Apostles.
 
Among the Catholic dignitaries present were Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Pope Francis’ special ambassador to the United States, or papal nuncio, who read the Holy Father’s appointment letter, called a papal “bull”; Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, where Bishop Knestout served as auxiliary bishop for nine years, and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, who leads the ecclesiastical province to which the almost-200-year-old Richmond diocese belongs. Also present were more than 15 bishops from throughout the U.S., local faith leaders, state government officials, Catholic priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, and the lay faithful.
 
In his homily Bishop Knestout talked about the special responsibility of the Church and Catholics in the pew in carrying out Jesus’ words in the Gospel passage of John, “Feed my sheep.”
 
“The church’s work in feeding the sheep is carried out in proclaiming the word, celebrating the sacraments and by carrying out its many charitable activities. We as individuals are called into that activity both personally and communally,” he said.
 
As the Diocese’s new shepherd, Bishop Knestout added, “I can’t imagine trying to present any other vision for this local church other than what Christ gives to us – that is the grand vision entrusted to my care.  Christ’s vision is the foundation of my priesthood and my service to each of you here in the Diocese of Richmond.”
 
A native of Maryland, Bishop Knestout is one of nine children who grew up in Bowie. He received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Maryland; a Master of Divinity degree; a Master of Arts degree from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD; and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1989.
 
To listen to Bishop Knestout’s Installation Mass homily, watch the recorded livestream at richmonddiocese.org.

About the Diocese of Richmond
Established in 1820, the Diocese of Richmond comprises more than 220,000 registered Catholics and covers more than 33,000 square miles and 74 counties, including the southern portion of the state stretching from the Eastern Shore to Southwest Virginia and as far north as Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley.