First new bishop ordained in 31 years is historic event for Crookston

Published: 2007-12-18

CROOKSTON, Minn. (CNS) -- For the Catholics of the Crookston Diocese, the ordination of their new bishop was a historic event, something that had not happened for 31 years. An estimated 1,000 people packed the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for the ordination of Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner and hundreds more watched it unfold via an Internet site set up to provide live coverage. Some people who had trouble accessing the site hurried to the cathedral, hoping to find a seat, as the Nov. 30 ordination was about to begin. Many found space at the rear of the church. More than 50 Knights of Columbus led the long procession into the church, followed by dozens of deacons and priests and 19 bishops, including several who graduated with Bishop Hoeppner in 1975 from the Pontifical North American College in Rome. With the ordination of Bishop Hoeppner, the class of 1975 now has eight bishops, the highest number of any class at the school.

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