Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The Diocese of Lincoln has announced a series of clergy appointments and retirements effective in 2025, involving multiple parishes and roles within the diocese.

Rev. Jay Buhman will serve as the Dean of the Orleans Deanery, while Rev. Troy Schweiger takes on the role of Dean for the Lincoln-East Deanery. Rev. Kenneth Wehrs is named the Dean of the Indianola Deanery. All three will keep their current responsibilities in addition to their new positions.

In pastoral appointments, Rev. John Birkel is assigned as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in North Platte. Very Rev. Douglas Dietrich will now lead St. Anne Church in Campbell, Holy Trinity Church in Blue Hill, Sacred Heart Church in Red Cloud, and St. Katharine Drexel Church in Franklin. Despite this, he will no longer serve as Vicar for Clergy.

Additional appointments include Rev. Corey Harrison as pastor of St. Stephen Church in Exeter and St. Wenceslaus Church in Milligan, and Rev. Caleb Hile serving as pastor of St. Anthony Church in Bruno and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Abie. Rev. K. William Holoubek will guide St. Anthony of Padua Church in Steinauer and Sacred Heart Church in Burchard, while Rev. Robert Johnson is named pastor of Sts. Leo and Martin Catholic Church in Palmyra and Douglas. Both retain prior responsibilities.

Other clergy changes include Rev. Randall Langhorst overseeing St. Joseph Church in Auburn and St. Clara Church in Peru, and Very Rev. Adam Sparling, V.F., appointed pastor of St. Joseph Church in Superior and Sacred Heart Church in Nelson.

In parochial vicar roles, Rev. Dale Allder joins St. Wenceslaus Church in Wahoo, and Rev. Samuel Beardslee becomes parochial vicar at St. Mary Church in David City. Rev. Basil Ejim, a visiting priest from Nigeria, will serve at St. Patrick Church in McCook.

Special appointments include Very Rev. Thomas Brouillette, V.G., selected as Vicar for Clergy. Rev. Stephen Graeve is appointed as a teacher at Aquinas Catholic High School in David City.

Retirements announced include Rev. Valerian Bartek and Rev. Michael Christensen, both stepping down from all current roles. Releases from appointments involve Very Revs. Maurice Current, Lyle Johnson, and Bernard Kimminau from their respective dean roles, among others transitioning from teaching positions within the diocese.

Rev. Shravankumar Raminedi, previously on loan from the Diocese of Nalgonda, India, has been released from all assignments in the Diocese of Lincoln and will transition to the Diocese of Grand Island.