Ohio bishop to lead Joliet Diocese
After nine years of leading about 100,000 Roman Catholics in Ohio, R. Daniel Conlon will see his flock multiply sixfold when he's installed as the new bishop of the Joliet Diocese.
Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday named Conlon, 62, as the fifth bishop to lead the diocese, which includes more than 655,000 Catholics in seven counties, including DuPage and Will.
Conlon is bishop for Steubenville, Ohio, and he will be installed to his new post on July 14 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet.
He spent Tuesday in Joliet, visiting with clergy and celebrating Mass at the diocese pastoral center.
Conlon succeeds Bishop J. Peter Sartain, who left the diocese in December after four years to be installed as Archbishop of Seattle. Since then, day-to-day operations have been handled by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Siegel.
In Steubenville, Conlon promoted the Catholic faith by developing teachings, as well as promoting the formation of priests and new priestly vocations. He also made it a priority to visit all the parishes and schools of the diocese numerous times.
When he comes to the much larger Joliet Diocese, Conlon hopes to continue his priority of building the clergy, officials said.
“For all bishops, their vocations are their top priorities and I believe he will continue encouraging men and women to become priests and sisters, as well as promoting Catholic education,” said diocese spokesman Doug Delaney.
Conlon is also active in family ministry, Delaney added, and is interested in programs that help strengthen marriage.
Ongoing projects will also become a priority for Conlon. Under Sartain, the diocese launched a plan called “Lighting the Path to Our Future,” which aims to deal with demographic shifts. The plan affects 40 schools and parishes and will unfold over about a decade; Four schools will close (some closures were completed last year), others will merge, and new schools will open in areas experiencing an increase in Catholic residents.
The plan also calls for trying to stabilize some schools with sagging enrollment and trying to help with fundraising initiatives.
Delaney said Conlon's tenure in Ohio will be an advantage in all projects.
“He's been a bishop for nine years, so he's been involved in restructuring and every issue that has come up here,” Delaney said. “He will have more staff and instances, but the issues are similar.”
Conlon began his religious vocation in 1975, when he was ordained a priest. He holds numerous theological degrees and was named to several leadership posts.
The oldest of six children, he is a Cincinnati native and enjoys reading and hiking in his personal time.
“We have been waiting for our new bishop, now our prayers have been answered and we welcome him with open arms,” Delaney said. “I hope everybody will support him.”