A parishioner hugs Bishop-elect Thomas Hennen after Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport July 12. He will be installed as bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon on Sept. 29.
By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Just before the 4 p.m. Mass began Saturday at Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Mass-goers rose to give a standing ovation to Bishop-elect Thomas Hennen as he faced them July 12, struggling to keep tears from flowing.
He was seeing parishioners for the first time since the Vatican announced July 10 his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon. The diocese, geographically, is larger than the state of Iowa but with a small Catholic population of 12,500 households in 36 parishes and 23 missions.
On Sept. 29 — the day of his ordination to the Episcopacy — Bishop-elect Hennen, 47, will become the youngest bishop overseeing a diocese in the United States. He looks forward to his new role as Bishop of Baker but admits it is hard to let go of his ministry as pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral and as the diocese’s vicar general.
Before he leaves for Oregon in late August, “believe you me, I want to soak up every bit of parish ministry that I can before I have to go,” he told the gathering at Mass Saturday. Anticipating one question his parishioners might have, he said with a tinge of emotion in his voice, “For now, call me “Father Thom.”
His joy for pastoral ministry remains steadfast, as he shared during last month’s Catholic Messenger Conversations podcast. While he appreciates his role as vicar general, the parish ministry is life giving. “The parish stuff, that’s my bread and butter,” he said. “I half-joke that if being vicar general is the price I have to pay to be pastor of Sacred Heart, it’s worth it.” He loves his interaction with the people and celebrating the sacraments with them. “Every parish I’ve (served in), I feel has been great.”
Call from the apostolic nuncio
During an interview with The Catholic Messenger July 12, Bishop-elect Hennen shared what transpired the day he received the fateful phone call that led to his “Yes” to the Lord:
Responding to emails in his Chancery office June 25 as the Davenport Diocese’s vicar general, he noticed a call coming in on his cellphone from Washington, D.C. The number was unfamiliar but he answered and heard the voice of Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. This was not a typical phone call and as he closed the door, Bishop-elect Hennen felt anxious.
Cardinal Pierre told the priest that the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV was appointing him as Bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon and asked if he would accept the appointment. “I told him that I felt I was too young. He told me to trust in the Lord,” Bishop-elect Hennen said. After the conversation ended, “The first thing I did, I knelt down and prayed. I asked for God’s grace and said ‘I don’t know what I just said yes to, help me.’ I’m still very much in that spot.”
Vatican protocol requires episcopal appointments to remain secret until the public announcement date. Bishop-elect Hennen chose July 10 in honor of the 21st anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. “I didn’t want to hang on to this secret any longer than I had to, and I like bookends.”
Cardinal Pierre had informed Bishop Dennis Walsh ahead of time of the appointment. Bishop-elect Hennen said when he called Bishop Walsh, he answered cheekily, “What’s new?” Kidding aside, Bishop Walsh, ordained Bishop of the Davenport Diocese less than a year ago, “has been nothing but affirming and encouraging. He’s just been so helpful through this whole process,” Bishop-elect Hennen said.
Gratitude goes both ways. Bishop Walsh said Bishop-elect Hennen “has been a most generous and dedicated shepherd in his pastoral ministry with the faithful at Sacred Heart Cathedral, and his invaluable service as Vicar General of our diocese has been a true blessing.”
Bishop Liam Cary introduces Bishop-elect Thomas Hennen during a press conference July 10 in Oregon.
‘I humbly and gladly accept’
In his role as vicar general, Bishop-elect Hennen has been involved in significant initiatives that have gained national and international attention, including the diocesan Synod on Synodality and “Guidelines for Pastoral Accompaniment of Sexual and Gender Minorities.”
Previous leadership roles include diocesan director of vocations and chaplain/director of campus ministry at St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He continues to serve as the diocese’s vicar general and on its College of Consultors, positions he has held for five years.
On the day of his ordination to the priesthood, he entrusted his priesthood “to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, consecrating myself totally to Jesus through her hands,” he shared during the July 10 press conference in Oregon. “I don’t think I fully realized what I was doing then. But I believe that she has been with me and faithfully guided my priestly ministry, even when I have not always been faithful to her.”
“Today, I renew that act of entrustment as I accept this assignment from our Holy Father, Pope Leo, and begin this new chapter of my life,” the bishop-elect said, with traces of emotion in his voice. The Davenport Diocese’s staff viewed the announcement with joy, mingled with sadness, from 1,800 miles away in the St. Vincent Center, diocesan headquarters.
Bishop-elect Thomas Hennen shakes the hand of a parishioner at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport July 12.
A rookie eager to learn
“I am honored, humbled, and — to be totally honest — more than a little scared,” he admitted at the press conference. “But how better could I know the will of God than when the successor of Peter and the Vicar of Christ on earth appoints me to a ministry? I humbly and gladly accept this ministry for the love of Jesus Christ and his flock, which I hope to grow and tend.”
“I am comforted by the words of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah, who protested that he was too young:”
“Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak … Do not be afraid … For I am with you.”
“This, in fact, was the first reading at my ordination to the priesthood,” Bishop-elect Hennen said.
He expressed gratitude to all who have accompanied him in his ministry: clergy and laity, family and friends, and now Bishop Liam Cary, who has led the Diocese of Baker since 2012. He submitted his resignation nearly three years ago, as required, when a bishop turns 75.
Bishop Cary said he was not in a hurry to leave because he enjoys being bishop and ministering to the people. “I thought, well, that will give the pope, as Bishop of Rome, adequate time to select a really worthy successor … it was time well spent,” he said. “So I present with great joy, Father — now Bishop-elect — Thomas Hennen.”
The bishop-elect thanked Bishop Cary “for his warm welcome, words of assurance, hospitality, and encouragement. I should also say, congratulations on your upcoming retirement, but please don’t go anywhere. I need you … I look forward to our new friendship and your good mentorship in the days, weeks and months to come.”
With characteristic humor, Bishop-elect Hennen told the press conference gathering, “The bad news is, you’re getting a rookie. I have a lot to learn. The good news is, you’re getting a rookie! And I know I have a lot to learn. Teach me! And be patient with me as I learn this diocese (which I am already falling in love with) and this new ministry. I promise to do my very best.”
Back at home, Bishop-elect Hennen exchanged hugs and handshakes with parishioners after the 4 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral. He posed for “selfies” with those who asked. “We’re happy for you, sad for us,” parishioners said.
