Pope Francis names new Coadjutor Archbishop for Seattle

Pope Francis names new Coadjutor Archbishop for Seattle

Archbishop Paul Etienne

A Coadjutor Bishop has the same functions as an Auxiliary Bishop, but he also has the automatic right to become the Diocesan Bishop upon the death or retirement.

The Holy Father chose Archbishop Paul Etienne to become the Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle, Washington. Archbishop Etienne was, until his appointment, Archbishop of Anchoragein Alaska.

Biography

Archbishop Paul Dennis Etienne was pastor of St. Paul in Tell City, Indiana and St. Mark in St. Mark. Archbishop Etienne was born on June 15, 1959, as the second son to Paul and Kay (Voges) Etienne. Two of Bishop Etienne's brothers, Bernard and Zachary, are priests for the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana and one of his two sisters, Nicolette, is a Benedictine Sister with Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana. Another brother, Richard, is married and lives in Newburg, Indiana, and another sister, Angela Etienne, lives in Evansville, Indiana.

Education

He graduated from Tell City High School. Before entering college he was Manager of Siebert's Clothing Store in Tell City, Indiana. He attended Bellarmine College in Louisville, Kentucky (1983-1984), and graduated from the University of St. Thomas / St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. In 1986-1987 he served with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as Assistant Coordinator for Papal Visits for Pope John Paul II to the United States. From 1988-1992 he attended the North American College in Rome and received a STB (Bachelor of Sacred Theology) at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Priesthood

Archbishop Etienne was ordained a priest on June 27, 1992 for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. His first appointment was as Associate Pastor at St. Barnabas in Indianapolis and Associate Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. From 1994-1995 he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, receiving his STL (License in Spiritual Theology).

Following assignments and appointments:
1995-1998 Vocation Director, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Pastor, St. Anne, Jennings County; Pastor. St. Joseph, Jennings County
1998-2007 Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Albany, Indiana
2007-2009 Vice-Rector, Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary, Indianapolis
2007-2008 Pastor, St. Simon, Indianapolis
2008-2009 Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Indianapolis
2009-2016 Bishop of Cheyenne, Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming
2016 Archbishop of Anchorage, Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska

Other assignments include:
Spiritual Director, St. Meinrad School of Theology
Archdiocesan Review Board
Advisory Board, Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary
Board of Consultors
Council of Priests
Vice-Postulator for the cause of Servant of God, Bishop Simon Bruté

Episcopacy

Bishop Etienne was the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne, succeeding the Most Reverend David L. Ricken who served the Diocese of Cheyenne from September 2001 to August 2008. On October 4, 2016, he was named the Fourth Archbishop of Anchorage, Alaska.

(Biography courtesy of the Diocese of Cheyenne)

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