ROMEOVILLE—Pope Benedict XVI recently made known the appointment of Bishop J. Peter Sartain, the current leader of the Diocese of Little Rock, Ark., as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Joliet. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, publicly announced the leadership appointment May 16 in Washington.

Mere hours later, Bishop Joseph L. Imesch revealed the name of the new bishop of the diocese during a press conference at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville. “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and give thanks,” said the retiring bishop as he addressed the media. With Bishop Sartain standing nearby, the current leader of the diocese, who is set to retire in late June, added, “I’m delighted to welcome him to this part of the Midwest.”

“Truly I can say that I am blessed to be here today… for many years to come … for the rest of my life,” said Bishop Sartain. After thanking Bishop Imesch for his hospitality and kind welcome, he said, “I must admit that the nuncio’s call came as a complete surprise.” The 53-year-old clergyman added, “But through the years, I have learned God’s blessings often come as surprises, and the greatest blessings come in serving where he sends me.”

A native of Memphis, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in 1978. He was ordained as bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock in 2000. “I served in a variety of capacities, but in my heart of hearts, I am and always will be a parish priest,” he said.

In remarks about beginning leadership duties in the Joliet Diocese, a diocese in which legal matters over sexual abuse allegations of minors by clergy are still pending, Bishop Sartain said he couldn’t speculate on the matters and discuss the claims until he thoroughly examines the information. “Frankly, I’m not familiar enough to give a good answer.”

According to Bishop Sartain, the Diocese of Little Rock is in full compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Since the early 1950s, 11 priests of the Diocese of Little Rock have been removed, the bishop said. None of the dismissals took place during his tenure as bishop.

Bishop Sartain vowed to fully comply with the policies stipulated in Joliet diocesan guidelines for handling allegations and removing individuals from ministry. Addressing the allegations in the Joliet Diocese, he added, “What I intend to do is rely on the Lord’s help and try to address it as competently and directly as I can, (while) relying on God’s wisdom and help and the help of many people, including our diocesan Review Committee.”

“I’m comfortable with what I tried to do,” said Bishop Imesch. “Maybe it wasn’t always the best, but like all of you, I do the best that I can,” added the bishop. During his 27-year stint as leader of the sprawling Joliet Diocese, Bishop Imesch witnessed the growth among the Catholic community from 400,000 to 650,000. He has been lauded by ministry leaders throughout the diocese for faithfully encouraging domestic and global outreach, while supporting family and pro-life initiatives among other commissions.

Bishop Imesch said that Bishop Sartain would officially take the reins as leader of the Joliet Diocese during a special installation ceremony and Mass June 27 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. Meanwhile, upon retiring from his administrative duties, Bishop Imesch mentioned that he plans to remain in the Joliet Diocese, stepping in to celebrate weekend Masses as needed for parish pastors and other priests throughout the seven-county region.

In the meantime, Bishop Sartain talked about his plans as bishop of the Joliet Diocese. “Do I come here with a mission or agenda? Not at all,” he said during his formal remarks at the press conference. “I have much to learn and that process will take some time. My first task is to try to be a good bishop and to learn (the history of the Joliet Diocese). I want to pray with you and for you, celebrate the sacraments, preach God’s word, teach the faith and strengthen the church.”

Bishop Sartain said that encouraging priestly vocations among men and promoting the faith among young people of the diocese would undoubtedly be priorities for him. “I like to pay attention to the seminarians,” he said during a conversation with the Catholic Explorer after the press conference. He mentioned that he would be interested in writing a weekly column for the diocesan newspaper to shed light on the numerous teachings of the Catholic Church.

“What I have already learned about the Church in Joliet is that it is strong, vibrant and growing,” Bishop Sartain said from the podium, “and that it is filled with people who love their faith and wish to grow in it.” He concluded, “I thank God that he is sending me to you and look forward to getting to know all of you in the months and years ahead.”