The Bishops of Kentucky. From left: Bishop Gainer, Bishop Roger Foys of Covington, Bishop William Medley of Owensboro, and Archbishop Kurtz
With deep gratitude to almighty God, I welcome the wonderful news that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Bishop Ronald Gainer as the Bishop of Harrisburg in Pennsylvania. For the past eleven years, Bishop Gainer has served the faithful in the Diocese of Lexington with great zeal. He has a truly pastoral heart, a keen intellect, and an exceptional ability to administer well. The Diocese of Harrisburg will be well served by such a humble servant of the Lord Jesus.
The pastoral presence of Bishop Gainer will be deeply remembered in the Province of Louisville for his many contributions to the life of the Church. Of special note is his fine service to the Kentucky Catholic Conference, an experience which will prove especially valuable as he serves the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference in the state capital of Harrisburg.
I will miss Bishop Gainer’s presence and friendship in the Province. As friends for almost fifty years dating from our seminary days, we served as neighboring pastors in Pennsylvania and, for in the last decade, as neighboring bishops in the Province of Louisville.
It is with the highest admiration and esteem that I thank God for Bishop Gainer’s sterling service as Bishop of Lexington. My prayers are with him as he assumes this new leadership position within the Church. May the Lord Jesus, who is the Light to the nations and His mother Mary, the star of the new evangelization, guide and protect him.
Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D.
Archbishop of Louisville
24 January 2014
Statement of Bishop Roger J. Foys, Bishop of Covington
re Appointment of
The Most Reverend Ronald Gainer
as Bishop of Harrisburg
24 January 2014
I offer my heartiest congratulations to Bishop Ronald Gainer on his appointment as Bishop of Harrisburg. I have known and worked with Bishop Gainer for these past 11 years in our Province and value his ministry and his friendship. There is a special bond between the Diocese of Covington and the Diocese of Lexington. The Diocese of Lexington is the daughter diocese Covington and shares a common history with us.
Bishop Gainer is without a doubt a great gift to the Diocese of Harrisburg as the priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful will soon discover. He is a true pastor with the heart of a shepherd. He will certainly be missed in our Province and in the Catholic Conference of Kentucky. As he takes up his new assignment I pledge my prayers and support and wish him every blessing.
Statement of Bishop William F. Medley, Bishop of Owensboro,
on the appointment of Bishop Ronald Gainer
as Bishop of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
24 January 2014
It is a joy to join the Church in celebrating the appointment of Bishop Ronald Gainer as the next Bishop of Harrisburg in Pennsylvania. It is a joy truly mixed with regret that this move means that he will leave the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Diocese of Lexington.
Bishop Gainer has served the Diocese of Lexington generously and with holiness. He has been an inspirational mentor to me since I was named to be a bishop and I will miss having him in the state.
My prayers will go with him. I pray as well for the Diocese of Harrisburg as they welcome Bishop Gainer and the Diocese of Lexington as they now await the appointment of a new bishop.
