March 21, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Thomas F. Shaughnessy
Director of Communications
Office: (859)253-1993, ext. 258
Cell: (859)230-4446
E-Mail: tshaughnessy@cdlex.org
Father Robert H. Nieberding elected diocesan administrator
Lexington. Father Robert H. Nieberding, a retired priest of the Diocese of Lexington, has been elected as diocesan administrator to guide the diocese until Pope Francis names a new bishop.
The announcement was made today by Father Frank Osburg, presiding consultor of the College of Consultors. The College of Consultors is a standing body of priests, who, among other duties, are tasked with electing an administrator when a diocese becomes vacant.
The Diocese of Lexington became vacant, that is, without a bishop, with the installation of Bishop Ronald W. Gainer as the 11th Bishop of Harrisburg, Pa, March 19.
Fr. Nieberding, 81, is the former pastor of Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish and a former principal of Lexington Catholic High School. He previously served as diocesan administrator from May, 2002, to February 22, 2003, when Bishop Gainer was ordained and installed as the Second Bishop of Lexington. He has been retired since February 22, 2003.