Will Wilmington s new bishop give President Biden Communion?
Appointed by Pope Francis, Monsignor William Koenig is set to replace Rev. Francis Malooly as Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington. Malooly is 77 and has aged out of the position. Koenig, 64, is a Queens, New York, native who was ordained as a bishop in Rockville Centre, New York, in 1983.
This appointment comes as bishops throughout the country are pondering how to view President Joe Biden, the country’s second Catholic president, who supports abortion rights.
During a press conference Friday, Koenig did not specifically address whether he does or does not support Biden receiving the Catholic sacrament of Communion. Biden currently receives Communion here in Wilmington and in Washington, D.C.
Bishop-designate Koenig speaks of his love of people and New York Mets
April 30, 2021
Bishop-designate William E. Koenig of Wilmington, Del., is seen during his introductory news conference at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Wilmington, April 30, 2021. (CNS photo/Don Blake, The Dialog)
WILMINGTON, Del. (CNS) Bishop-designate William E. Koenig of Wilmington was in his home diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, in late April when his cellphone rang. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States, was on the other end informing him that that he had been chosen to become the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington.
Pope Francis names Long Island priest William E Koenig Bishop of Wilmington newsday.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newsday.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
April 30, 2021
CWN Editor s Note: Pope Francis has appointed a new bishop for the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, the residence of President Joe Biden. Bishop-designate William Koenig, a priest of the Rockville Centre, New York diocese, will replace Bishop William Malooly, who is retiring at the age of 77. The appointment has special significance because of the debate over withholding Communion from Biden because of his support for abortion. Bishop Malooly like Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, DC had indicated that he would not do so.
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Wilmington bishop retires; pope names N.Y. priest to succeed him
Pope Francis greets Bishop W. Francis Malooly of Wilmington, Del., during a meeting with U.S. bishops during their ad limina visits to the Vatican, Dec. 3, 2019. It was announced April 30, 2021, that Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Malooly and has appointed Mgr. William E. Koenig of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., as the bishop of Wilmington. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
By Joseph P. Owens • Catholic News Service • Posted April 30, 2021
WILMINGTON, Del. (CNS) More than two years after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Bishop William F. Malooly of Wilmington, Delaware, is stepping down.