LIMA, OH (WLIO) - A local priest has accepted the calling to serve a larger flock as the new bishop of the diocese of Davenport, Iowa.
On Tuesday morning, Pope Francis officially named Father Dennis Walsh to be the 10th bishop in that diocese's history. Walsh is currently serving the parishes of Delphos, Landeck, and Spencerville.
Bishop Daniel Thomas says this is the first time that someone from the Toledo Diocese has been named the ordinary of another diocese. Walsh grew up in St. Gerard Parish in Lima and was ordained as a priest in 1992. He has served in a handful of parishes since then. During a media conference this morning, he talked about the values of a Midwest upbringing.
"I have lived in different parts of the country throughout my priesthood, throughout the preparation of priesthood. I have always remained a son of the Midwest. I know the values that are important here. They are values that place faith, family, and community at the top. Family provides a strong foundation where the faith may be nurtured in the hearts of all its members. From a former Buckeye to what is now a proud Hawkeye, entering into the transfer portal. I ask for your prayers and your patience as I prepare to become your new bishop," says Bishop-Elect Dennis Walsh.
Bishop-elect Walsh will be fully ordained as bishop in September.
June 25, 2024, Press Release from the Diocese of Toledo: Bishop Daniel E. Thomas is pleased to share that Pope Francis today has named Reverend Dennis G. Walsh, currently a priest and pastor of the Diocese of Toledo, as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa. This is the first time in the history of the Diocese of Toledo that one of our own priests has been named the Ordinary of another diocese.
“I am thrilled that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has honored the presbyterate of our diocese by choosing one of our finest pastors and such a splendid priest, now Bishop-Elect Dennis Walsh, to serve as a Successor of the Apostles. As a bishop, his fidelity to Christ and His Church, his pastoral and practical wisdom, his administrative and leadership aptitude, his love for the people of God, and his warm and jovial personality will serve him well as he shepherds the local Church of Davenport. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Father Walsh for almost ten years, and have found him to be a spiritually grounded and trusted advisor who lives out his vocation in joyful obedience. I kindly ask all the people in our diocese - priests, deacons, consecrated religious and lay faithful – to join me in enthusiastically and prayerfully congratulating Bishop-Elect Dennis Walsh!”
Bishop-Elect Walsh currently serves as pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Delphos (since 2015), Saint John the Baptist Parish in Landeck (since 2015), and Saint Patrick Parish in Spencerville (since 2016). Previous pastoral assignments include pastor of Saint Patrick of Heatherdowns Parish (2007-2015), pastor of Saint John Parish in Defiance (2002-2007), and associate pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Sandusky (1998-2002).
Born and raised in Saint Gerard Parish in Lima, he was ordained into the priesthood on May 9, 1992 for the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), Baltimore Province, and incardinated into the Diocese of Toledo on July 19, 2000. In the Diocese of Toledo, he has held several leadership positions on many diocesan boards, committees, and consultative bodies.
There will be a livestreamed press conference, today, June 25, 2024 introducing Bishop-Elect Dennis Walsh to the people of Davenport at 10 am Central Time (11 am Eastern Standard Time). Further information can be found at https://davenportdiocese.org. His ordination and installation as the 10th Bishop of Davenport will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024.
The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910, encompasses 8,222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas and spans 19 counties across Northwest Ohio, serving approximately 320,000 Catholics in 122 parishes. The Diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties
