Father William Joensen, Ph,D. was appointed today by Pope Francis to succeed Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines. Bishop-elect Joensen, 59, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque and a professor of philosophy at Loras College. He grew up in Ames.
During a news conference held earlier today, Bishop-elect Joensen said “I’m an Iowa guy … I’ve always wanted to spend my life here serving the people.”
Bishop-elect Joensen’s installation Mass is scheduled for for 2 p.m. on Sept. 27 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in West Des Moines. Bishop Pates will serve as the administrator of the Diocese of Des Moines until the installation.
For more information go to https://www.dmdiocese.org/new-bishop.
