“Hi. This is Bishop Lou Tylka, the Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, and I just want to share with you how excited I am and how blessed I am that the Holy Father has entrusted into me the responsibility of serving this local community. I look forward to many years of getting to know you and walking with you on our path of discipleship. We are here to serve the Lord, and bring Jesus to others, and we trust in the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance. As I began my ministry, I ask for your prayers for me, as well as for our local church that we may continue to grow closer to Jesus each and every day, and that we can bring the message of our faith to all the parts of the world and our diocese in particular that need to know that Jesus is here walking with us. It is such a blessing for me, as well as this local church, to celebrate this historic moment in this unique and historic time but it is really a blessing that we look to allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in all our efforts going forward. I am very pleased, very happy, very excited to be the new Coadjutor Bishop here in Peoria, and again, I ask you for your prayers as I will pray for you daily. God Bless You.”
The Most Reverend Louis Tylka formally installed as Coadjutor Bishop
The Diocese of Peoria is pleased to share the news that the Most Reverend Louis Tylka has been formally installed as Coadjutor Bishop on Thursday, July 23, 2020.
The Most Reverend Tylka will become the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria when he succeeds Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, upon his retirement in March of 2022 when he turns 75, the age when bishops are required to turn in their resignation to the pope.
The formal ordination and installation of the Most Reverend Tylka as Coadjutor Bishop took place at The Cathedral of St. Mary in Peoria.
Prior to being appointed by his His Holiness, Pope Francis, Coadjutor Bishop Tylka, 50, was Pastor of St. Julie Billiart in Tinley Park, Illinois. He earned a reputation as a very popular pastor in the Archdiocese of Chicago where he was known as a man of holiness and prayer, generous in service, who knows how to encourage the talents of others in collaborative ministry.
“I know that Coadjutor Bishop Tylka will bring enormous talent, zeal, and a warm personality to the service of God and neighbor here in central Illinois. I have assured Bishop Tylka that he can expect an enthusiastic welcome, and that we look forward to his pastoral ministry and leadership,†said Bishop Jenky.
In his greeting to the people, Coadjutor Bishop Tylka shared that he looks forward to many years of getting to know the faithful and walking with them on the path of discipleship. “As I begin my ministry, I ask for your prayers for me and our local church that we may continue to grow closer to Jesus each day and bring the message of our faith to all parts of the world.â€
Coadjutor Bishop Tylka is a native of Harvey, Illinois and is the youngest of six children. He graduated from Marian Catholic High School, and Niles College Seminary of Loyola University. His seminary formation took place at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary and he was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ for the Archdiocese of Chicago by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin on May 18, 1996.
Video of the Mass is available for viewing on the Diocese of Peoria Facebook.
BISHOP TYLKA KEEPSAKE – July 23 was a special day in the history of the Diocese of Peoria, and the highlights of the episcopal ordination of Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka have been beautifully captured in a special keepsake program, “A Moment of Grace.†The 8.5-by-11, 56-page high quality commemorative includes nearly 40 color photos from the day, the full texts of homilies and other remarks by church leaders, background on Bishop Lou and his family, and more. It is available by sending $12 ($10 per booklet, plus $2 for shipping) to Bishop Tylka Commemorative, c/o The Catholic Post, PO Box 1722, Peoria, IL, 61656. Make checks payable to The Catholic Post.