NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE
B section
State bishops meet with governor, legislators The three get in front of lawmakers to advocate on topics important to the Church
RICK MUSACCHIO
T
Shepherds and governor Gov. Bill Lee welcomes Tennessee’s three bishops, (from left) Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville, and Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, to Catholic Day on the Hill. darity,” added Bishop Talley. “We can speak with one voice about the goodness of God and our desire to love God and neighbor by serving neighbor.” The bishops, along with members
of the Tennessee Catholic Public Policy Commission, representatives of Catholic Charities, the superintendents of the Catholic schools of the dioceses, and health-care workers, spoke to the politicians about
KATIE PETERSON
he shepherds of the Catholic Church in Tennessee—Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, and Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville—came together to meet with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, members of the General Assembly, and state officials to discuss Catholic social teaching during the 2022 Catholic Day on the Hill on March 23. Catholic Day on the Hill is an opportunity for leaders of the Catholic Church to get in front of state legislators in a one-on-one environment to discuss topics important to the Church and the laws that affect the people of Tennessee. The Tennessee Catholic Public Policy Commission has organized a Catholic Day on the Hill annually for more than 20 years. “It’s important for the voice of the Catholic Church to be heard by our political leaders, and what we find in the state of Tennessee is a positive reception to the voice of Catholics concerning the needs of our people,” said Bishop Spalding. “I think being there in person, all three (bishops) together, speaks powerfully whether we’re talking to the executive or legislative branch.” “Having the three men who have been called by the Lord and by the Holy Father to be shepherds of the three dioceses being together and brothers, it gives us a sense of soli-
By Katie Peterson/The Tennessee Register
Sitdown meeting Bishops (from left) Spalding, Talley, and Stika meet with Sen. Randy McNally, the lieutenant governor, who is a parishioner of St. Mary in Oak Ridge. Also pictured is Rick Musacchio, executive director of the Tennessee Catholic Public Policy Commission.
seven key points of Catholic social teaching, with special emphasis on the respect for life from conception to natural death, the care for the vulnerable, education, and health care. While expressing these points, the bishops also thanked legislators for their efforts, particularly with the General Assembly’s support of legislation preparing Tennessee to end abortion on demand in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the precedent put in place following the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. “It’s important for the bishops of our three dioceses to let the governor and our legislators know how supportive we are of their efforts to promote the dignity of every human person, their efforts to lift up the poorest of the poor, their efforts to help bring prosperity and jobs to Tennessee, because that affects all of our people,” said Bishop Talley. And no matter what comes from the discussions, “we’ve already been successful today because we’re able to listen to our legislators and the governor, and they’re able to listen to us,” Bishop Talley said. “There’s been an interaction, a listening to one another’s hearts, and Bishops continued on page B2
Father Sturm installed as pastor of two parishes
F
ather Sam Sturm recently had the feeling that it was déjà vu all over again, to quote the great Yogi Berra. Although Father Sturm has had his current assignment for some time, Bishop Richard F. Stika installed the priest as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in LaFollette on Feb. 13. Father Sturm, however, is also pastor of Christ the King in Tazewell, so Bishop Stika installed him there on March 6. After the second event in Tazewell, Father Sturm commented on the double installation. “I feel I have a split personality,” he said. “No, it’s great. I’m still getting used to the drive between the two counties. I live in LaFollette in Campbell County, and I drive 40 miles to Claiborne County,” home
of Christ the King in Tazewell. Bishop Stika greeted the assembly at OLPH, a parish of some 70 families, at the start of Mass. “It’s a great joy for me to be here with you at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Even though Father Sam has been here for a bit, today I’m going to officially install him,” he said. The bishop’s homily followed the Gospel reading from Luke 6. “Are you the kind of person who says a glass is half-full or halfempty? Or perhaps, are you the kind of person when confronted with good news or bad news, you would prefer the bad news first, or the good news first? That’s kind of like the Gospel that we have today,” Bishop Stika said. “First of all, Jesus is very positive. And when we look Father Sturm continued on page B2
By Dan McWilliams
DAN MCWILLIAMS
Bishop Stika performs the rite at OLPH in LaFollette and again at Christ the King in Tazewell
All smiles Bishop Richard F. Stika and Father Sam Sturm shake hands after the document signifying Father Sturm’s installation as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Tazewell was officially signed and witnessed.