Summary
Bishop Richard Stika, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as bishop of Knoxville in 2009, resigned from his post at age 65 in June 2023 following a Vatican investigation into alleged mismanagement. The inquiry stemmed from multiple priests’ complaints to the Vatican about Bishop Stika’s conduct during his tenure as bishop. Bishop Stika had served as chancellor of the Archdiocese of St. Louis for 10 years, overseeing Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1999. In February 2023, he resigned after a year before reaching the standard retirement age. His resignation followed reports from Vatican investigators about alleged mismanagement by Bishop Stika. The diocese urged his followers to pray for his soul and acknowledged him as someone dedicated to his faith and significant contributions to dioceses served. Bishop Richard Stika passed away at the age of 68 on February 17, 2023.
Key Topics
Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI, Knoxville Diocese
