David Laurin Ricken
Encyclopedia
David Laurin Ricken is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He currently serves as the twelfth Bishop of Green Bay
, having previously served as Bishop of Cheyenne
.
, Kansas
. He has two siblings: a brother, Mark, and a sister, Carol, who is presently principal of St. Mary’s School in Cheyenne
, Wyoming
. For his primary education, Ricken attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Grade School in Dodge City. He later attended St. Francis High School Seminary in Victoria
, graduating in 1970.
Ricken did undergraduate studies
in philosophy
at the Pontifical College Josephinum
in Worthington
, Ohio
and Conception Seminary College in Conception
, Missouri
, graduating from the latter institution in 1974. As a seminarian
for the Diocese of Pueblo
, he attended St. Meinrad School of Theology
in St. Meinrad
, Indiana
and the American College of the Immaculate Conception in Leuven
, Belgium
, obtaining a master's degree in theology
in 1980 from the Catholic University of Leuven
.
to the priesthood
by Bishop Arthur Tafoya
on September 12, 1980, and then served as associate pastor
of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
in Pueblo
until 1985. From 1985 to 1987, he was both parish
administrator of Holy Rosary Church and Vice-Chancellor
of the diocese
. In 1987, he was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome
, from where he earned a Licentiate of Canon Law
in 1989.
Ricken, upon his return to the United States
, was made diocesan Vocation
Director and Vicar
for Ministry Formation, as well as becoming diocesan Chancellor in 1992. In 1996, he began work as an official of the Congregation for the Clergy
in the Roman Curia
, a position that he served until 1999.
of Cheyenne
by Pope John Paul II
. He received his episcopal consecration
on January 6, 2000 from John Paul II, with Archbishops Giovanni Re and Marcello Zago, OMI
, serving as co-consecrators
, in St. Peter's Basilica
. Ricken later succeeded Joseph Hubert Hart
as Bishop of Cheyenne
on September 26, 2001, upon the latter's retirement.
Pope Benedict XVI
named Ricken the twelfth Bishop of Green Bay
, Wisconsin
, on July 9, 2008. Bishop Ricken was installed on August 28, 2008.
On December 8, 2010, Bishop Ricken by official decree and proclamation made Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin the very first and the only site in the United States of an approved apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The ruling
concluded two years of investigation officially approving the authenticity of the Marian apparitions that took place in 1859.
, found the Wyoming School of Catholic Thought, founded the John Paul II Catholic School in Gillette, WY. He oversaw the building of a new school for St. Mary's Catholic School in Cheyenne.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He currently serves as the twelfth Bishop of Green Bay
Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay was established on March 3, 1868 by Pope Pius IX. It covers the city of Green Bay as well as Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties,...
, having previously served as Bishop of Cheyenne
Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne is a Roman Catholic diocese covering the state of Wyoming. It was founded on August 2, 1887 by Pope Leo XIII...
.
Early life
David Ricken was born to George William "Bill" Ricken (d. July 1, 1993) and Bertha (Davis) Ricken (d. August 20, 2001) in Dodge CityDodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is a city in, and the county seat of, Ford County, Kansas, United States. Named after nearby Fort Dodge, the city is famous in American culture for its history as a wild frontier town of the Old West. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,340.-History:The first settlement of...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. He has two siblings: a brother, Mark, and a sister, Carol, who is presently principal of St. Mary’s School in Cheyenne
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. The population is 59,466 at the 2010 census. Cheyenne is the...
, Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. For his primary education, Ricken attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Grade School in Dodge City. He later attended St. Francis High School Seminary in Victoria
Victoria, Kansas
Victoria is a city in Ellis County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,214.-History:A group of English and Scottish colonists led by a Scotsman named George Grant founded Victoria in 1873 on land he had purchased from the Kansas Pacific Railway. They named the...
, graduating in 1970.
Ricken did undergraduate studies
Undergraduate education
Undergraduate education is an education level taken prior to gaining a first degree . Hence, in many subjects in many educational systems, undergraduate education is post-secondary education up to the level of a bachelor's degree, such as in the United States, where a university entry level is...
in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at the Pontifical College Josephinum
Pontifical College Josephinum
The Pontifical College Josephinum is a four-year, Roman Catholic liberal arts college and graduate school of theology founded by Monsignor Joseph Jessing in 1888 and located in Columbus, Ohio, USA. The seminary prepares its students to become priests in the Roman Catholic Church. Students come...
in Worthington
Worthington, Ohio
-Dissolution of the Company:By August 11, 1804 the plat maps were completed, payments or notes promising payments collected and deeds prepared for all sixteen thousand acres of the Scioto Company's purchase...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and Conception Seminary College in Conception
Conception, Missouri
Conception is an unincorporated community in eastern Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. It is located about eleven miles southeast of Maryville on U.S. Route 136. It is very near Conception Junction, Missouri . Conception is home to Conception Abbey....
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, graduating from the latter institution in 1974. As a seminarian
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
for the Diocese of Pueblo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Pueblo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pueblo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Colorado. The diocese was founded on November 15, 1941. It encompasses the southern half of Colorado, from Utah to the west, to Kansas in the east....
, he attended St. Meinrad School of Theology
Saint Meinrad School of Theology
The Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology is located in Saint Meinrad in southern Indiana and is affiliated with the St. Meinrad Archabbey, which itself is affiliated with Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland...
in St. Meinrad
St. Meinrad, Indiana
Saint Meinrad is an unincorporated community in Harrison Township, Spencer County, Indiana, along the Anderson River and just off Interstate 64. It is home to the St. Meinrad Archabbey. It is situated about 55 miles east of Evansville. Because of the archabbey, St...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
and the American College of the Immaculate Conception in Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, obtaining a master's degree in theology
Master of Theology
A Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...
in 1980 from the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
.
Priesthood
Ricken was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Bishop Arthur Tafoya
Arthur Nicholas Tafoya
Arthur Nicholas Tafoya is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the third Bishop of Pueblo. His resignation as bishop was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on October 15, 2009.-Biography:...
on September 12, 1980, and then served as associate pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo or Sacred Heart Church is a historic church building in Pueblo, Colorado.-History:In October 1860, Fr. Projectus Machebeuf, and Fr. J.B. Raverdy began the 400-mile journey from Santa Fe, New Mexico, north into Colorado Territory. Months later they arrived at...
in Pueblo
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States....
until 1985. From 1985 to 1987, he was both parish
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
administrator of Holy Rosary Church and Vice-Chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
of the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
. In 1987, he was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, from where he earned a Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law is the title of an advanced graduate degree with canonical effects in the Roman Catholic Church offered by pontifical universities and ecclesiastical faculties of canon law...
in 1989.
Ricken, upon his return to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, was made diocesan Vocation
Vocational discernment in the Catholic Church
Vocational discernment is the process in which men or women in the Catholic Church discern, or determine, their vocation in the Church. Though one may also speak of discerning a vocation to marriage or to life as a single person, discerning a vocation most frequently refers to a special vocation...
Director and Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
for Ministry Formation, as well as becoming diocesan Chancellor in 1992. In 1996, he began work as an official of the Congregation for the Clergy
Congregation for the Clergy
The Sacred Congregation for the Clergy is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests and deacons not belonging to religious orders...
in the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
, a position that he served until 1999.
Episcopate
On December 14, 1999, Ricken was appointed Coadjutor BishopCoadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of Cheyenne
Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne is a Roman Catholic diocese covering the state of Wyoming. It was founded on August 2, 1887 by Pope Leo XIII...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on January 6, 2000 from John Paul II, with Archbishops Giovanni Re and Marcello Zago, OMI
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate is a missionary religious congregation in the Catholic Church. It was founded on January 25, 1816 by Saint Eugene de Mazenod, a French priest born in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France on August 1, 1782. The congregation was given recognition by Pope...
, serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
, in St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
. Ricken later succeeded Joseph Hubert Hart
Joseph Hubert Hart
Joseph Hubert Hart is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Cheyenne from 1978 to 2001.-Early life and education:...
as Bishop of Cheyenne
Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne is a Roman Catholic diocese covering the state of Wyoming. It was founded on August 2, 1887 by Pope Leo XIII...
on September 26, 2001, upon the latter's retirement.
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
named Ricken the twelfth Bishop of Green Bay
Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay was established on March 3, 1868 by Pope Pius IX. It covers the city of Green Bay as well as Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties,...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, on July 9, 2008. Bishop Ricken was installed on August 28, 2008.
On December 8, 2010, Bishop Ricken by official decree and proclamation made Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin the very first and the only site in the United States of an approved apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The ruling
concluded two years of investigation officially approving the authenticity of the Marian apparitions that took place in 1859.
Hall of fame
Ricken is a 2009 inductee in the Catholic Education Foundation's Hall of Fame. While the Cheyenne bishop, he had co-founded the Wyoming Catholic CollegeWyoming Catholic College
Wyoming Catholic College is a private, Catholic liberal arts college in Lander, Wyoming. It is the only private four-year institution of higher education in the state.-Accreditation:...
, found the Wyoming School of Catholic Thought, founded the John Paul II Catholic School in Gillette, WY. He oversaw the building of a new school for St. Mary's Catholic School in Cheyenne.