Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In a significant event for the Diocese of Knoxville, Bishop Mark Beckman was ordained on July 26 as the fourth bishop of the church in East Tennessee. The ordination took place at the Knoxville Convention Center with Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky, serving as the principal consecrator.

Co-consecrators included Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri. This occasion marked the first time all three bishops served as consecrators in their episcopacies.

Archbishop Fabre has been acting as apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Knoxville since June 2023 following the retirement of Bishop Richard F. Stika.

Bishop Beckman, 61, hails from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, within the Diocese of Nashville and has been a priest there since his ordination in 1990. He was elevated to bishop before an audience of 4,000 attendees.

“In his wisdom, God has chosen you, James Mark Beckman, to be bishop in this new season for the Diocese of Knoxville,” Archbishop Fabre said during his homily.

The archbishop noted that he and Bishops Beckman and Spalding had studied together at the American College at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium during their seminary years.

“On a more personal note... I am confident that with the help of God, you will be a good bishop here,” Archbishop Fabre added.

In his initial address to his new congregation at Mass's conclusion, Bishop Beckman reflected on receiving a pivotal phone call about becoming bishop and recalled attending Archbishop Fabre’s installation in Louisville: “I hope I do not misquote you... but what I remember him saying... was a comment that I’ve thought about many times since.”

Twenty archbishops, bishops and abbots attended Bishop Beckman's ordination including retired Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville and retired Benedictine Abbot Cletus D. Meagher from Alabama’s St. Bernard Abbey.

Msgr. John Paul Zenollito Pedrera represented Cardinal Christophe Pierre by reading Pope Francis’ mandate appointing Bishop Beckman during the ceremony.

The rite began with promises made by Bishop-designate Beckman followed by laying prostrate before the altar while a choir sang the litany of saints. Consecrating bishops then laid hands on him followed by Archbishop Fabre's prayer asking God to bestow governing spirit upon him.

The new bishop received holy chrism anointment and symbols such as a ring, miter and crosier—the latter being previously used by late Bishop James D. Niedergeses who ordained Father Beckman in 1990.

After taking his seat among concelebrating bishops amid applause from attendees—marking formal installation—a choir performed throughout liturgy accompanied by an orchestra; concluding song titled “Jesus Christ Yesterday Today Forever” echoed words chosen for episcopal motto taken from Hebrews 13:8

Bishop Beckman's family members were present including parents Jimmy Lois eldest six children along young nieces nephews witnessing day described great beginnings centered around Jesus Christ