News Release #337

Released July 23, 2001

New Ulm – The Most Reverend John Clayton Nienstedt, S.T.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, will be installed as the third Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm, MN, on Monday, August 6, 2001, 2:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Mary, Sleepy Eye, MN. Presiding will be the Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn, D.D., Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, in the presence of the Most Reverend Gabriel Montalvo, J.C.D., Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. Bishop Nienstedt succeeds Bishop Raymond A. Lucker, S.T.D., who retired November 17, 2000, after giving 25 years of service to the diocese.

A banquet in honor of Bishop Nienstedt's installation will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 6, 2001, at the Orchid Inn, Sleepy Eye. MN. On Sunday, August 5, 2001, there will be a Celebration of Solemn Vespers at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm, MN, with a reception immediately following. All events are by invitation only.

Bishop Nienstedt is a native of Detroit, born March 18, 1947. He is the son of John and Elizabeth Nienstedt of Harrison Township and the second oldest in a family of six children. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1969 at Sacred Heart Seminary, and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1972. He holds a Licentiate and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Institute of Saint Alphonsus, Rome.

On his acceptance of New Ulm, Bishop Nienstedt commented, "I have been sent as an apostle to minister among you. I come as a priest, not a politician. I come as a shepherd, not a CEO. I come to lay down my life for you. I also come knowing that true service in Christ's Church can only happen in and through love. So I come here to love you with the love of Jesus Christ."

Bishop Nienstedt was ordained to the priesthood on July 27, 1974, at Sacred Heart Church, Dearborn, Michigan. On June 12, 1996, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Alton and Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit and ordained as Auxiliary Bishop July 9, 1996. On August 8, 1996, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the South Region of the Archdiocese serving 113 parishes. On June 12, 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Nienstedt as the third Bishop of New Ulm.