The Diocese of Wilmington officially has a new Bishop.
Bishop William Koenig was ordained and installed the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington Tuesday afternoon during a special mass at St. Elizabeth Church.
“I'm overwhelmed, as I gather and I stand here before you this day. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," said Koenig. "First, I’m very grateful. I’m humbled and I’m eager. I’m grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the trust he has placed in me in calling me to serve the people of God in Wilmington.”
Koenig was named the bishop in April by Pope Francis, and he succeeds Bishop Francis Malooly who held the position since 2008.
“"Over these past several months, as I've heard and read the stories about the founding of the diocese, and learned more about the parishes of the diocese and its people, I have come to know the Diocese of Wilmington that goes far beyond demographics. I've come to know that there's a place of faith, hope and love.” said Koenig.
Malooly offered his resignation when he turned 75 in 2019, which is standard by canon law.
The 64-year-old Koenig comes to the Diocese of Wilmington after serving as the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York.
Koenig was first ordained to the priesthood in 1983.