St. Louis auxiliary named coadjutor archbishop of Kansas City, Kan.

Published: 2004-01-07

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has named Auxiliary Bishop Joseph F. Naumann of St. Louis to be coadjutor archbishop of Kansas City, Kan. The Vatican announced the 54-year-old auxiliary bishop's transfer Jan. 7. As coadjutor, Archbishop Naumann will work with and eventually succeed Archbishop James P. Keleher, who celebrated his 72nd birthday in July. A welcome ceremony in Kansas City was tentatively scheduled for March 19, the feast of St. Joseph. "I am humbled by this new responsibility entrusted to me by the Holy Father," Archbishop Naumann said in a Jan. 7 statement. "I look forward to this new opportunity to serve Jesus and his church." Archbishop Naumann added, "At the same time, I am saddened to leave the Archdiocese of St. Louis. I have lived my entire life in St. Louis, received all of my education in St. Louis, and served for more than 28 years as a priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. ... This new appointment makes me even more cognizant of the great blessing of my family and friends and their faithful support and encouragement over so many years."

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