Here is the full text of Bishop-designate Joseph McFadden‘s statement from this morning’s press conference that announced him as the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg.

Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and forever. It is with these words that I greet you this morning on my appointment by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. I am deeply humbled by the confidence that Pope Benedict has placed in me in appointing me as the new shepherd of this particular Church. I thank Almighty God for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon me throughout the course of my life. I thank God first and foremost for the gift of life itself. I thank Him for giving me the privilege to share in the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ for the past twenty-nine years. I thank Him for calling me to the office of Bishop in His Church and today for the opportunity to shepherd His people in the Church in Harrisburg.

I thank Pope Benedict for entrusting to me the responsibility of leading the good people of Harrisburg in their pilgrimage of faith as we journey together toward the fullness of the Kingdom of God that continues to unfold each and every day for all those who are willing to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

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With this morning’s announcement, Bishop Joseph McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, becomes the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. After graduating from St. Joseph University in 1969 with a degree in Poli Science, Bishop-designate McFadden coached and taught at West Catholic Boys High School. In 1976, McFadden entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, beginning his years in priestly formation. On May 16, 1981, Bishop McFadden was ordained a priest by Cardinal John Krol in the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philly.

Throughout his time as a priest, Bishop McFadden has served the people of Philadelphia in multiple capacities. McFadden has served on the Priests’ Personnel Board, Subcommittee for Clergy Renewal (serving as the Chairman), Diocesan Priests Continuing Formation Committee, and the Episcopal Board of Advisors for the Cause for the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton John Sheen–to name a few. He has also served as the president of a Catholic High School and as a spiritual director for young men discerning a call to priestly ministry at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Okay, so I was close…just a little off. This morning, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, made the following appointments here in the stateside church:

• Bishop Joseph McFadden as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg.
• Monsignor Michael Fitzgerald as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The appointment of this new Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese comes only two weeks after the previous appointment, which saw Msgr. John J. McIntyre raise to the rank of Auxiliary Bishop.

A press conference with Justin Cardinal Rigali is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. to make the announcements. Live feed will be available on the Archdiocesan website. An additional press conference has been scheduled for 10 a.m. in Harrisburg to announce their new bishop. More to come on the appointments shortly.