Diocese of Lincoln announces clergy appointments effective June 2026
The Diocese of Lincoln announced on April 10 a series of clergy appointments that will take effect on June 15, 2026, unless otherwise specified. The changes include new assignments for deans, pastors, parochial vicars, and special roles within the diocese.
These appointments are part of the diocese’s regular efforts to organize pastoral leadership across its parishes and institutions. The Diocese of Lincoln operates as a religious organization and aims to promote adherence to Catholic traditions while engaging members through communications and events, according to the official website.
Among the new assignments, Rev. Gary Brethour has been appointed Dean of the Grant Deanery; Rev. Mark Seiker as Dean of the York Deanery; and Rev. J. Evan Winter as Dean of the Orleans Deanery. Pastoral changes include Rev. Samuel Beardslee becoming pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Rulo and St. Mary Church in Arago while also teaching at Sacred Heart High School in Falls City; Very Rev. Jay Buhman is set to become pastor at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln; and several other priests have received new or additional parish responsibilities throughout southern Nebraska.
Additional roles have been assigned such as coverage priest for the diocese, chaplains for hospitals, chief administrative officers for Catholic schools, assistant principals at high schools, and directors or advisors for vocations programs.
The Diocese also announced retirements due to age or medical reasons for several priests including Rev. Maurice Current, Rev. Bill Grant, Rev. Gary Gross, and Rev. Lyle Johnson.
Other recent announcements include Very Rev. Brian Kane being named Vicar General effective June 1, 2026; Very Rev. Thomas Brouillette resigning his post as Vicar General but remaining priest in residence at St. John the Apostle Parish; Msgr. Mark Huber taking on duties as Chancellor of the Diocese of Grand Island while retaining other responsibilities; along with several other pastoral reassignments announced earlier this year.
The Diocese comprises 134 parishes and six educational institutions according to its official website according to the official website. It extends services across southern Nebraska according to the official website and offers support for vocations, family life programs, youth initiatives, catechesis efforts, evangelization activities and charitable work according to the official website. The diocese seeks to nurture followers who actively practice their beliefs according to the official website.
