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Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Ralph O’Donnell, 55, as the fifth Bishop of Jefferson City. The appointment was publicized today in Washington, D.C., by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Born in Omaha in 1969, Fr. O’Donnell was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha in 1997. He currently serves as Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Omaha.

His appointment comes approximately three months after the previous Bishop of Jefferson City, the Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, was installed as Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki was elected to serve as Diocesan Administrator, and continues in that role until the installation of the new bishop.

Click the link to read more about Bishop-elect Ralph O’Donnell and to watch the press conference introducing him to our diocese.