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MLMinET's avatar

No, he had one or more Chancery positions, but he was not an auxiliary. He only became a bishop when he was installed in Knoxville. About a cabal—I don’t know.

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D Paul's avatar

You are right. '94-'04 -- Chancellor which included being vicar general '97-'04. In 1999, he was in charge of the visit of John Paul II to St. Louis. This ingratiated him with the Vatican leading to his promotion to Bishop of Knoxville.

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MLMinET's avatar

If JP remembered him specifically I’d be surprised. It was the cardinal’s relentless promotion of him on the Congregation for Bishops that did the trick, even in the face of pushback due to his already compromised health.

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D Paul's avatar

Once again, you make a good point. JPII was here in 1999. He died in 2008 and the vicar general was promoted to Knoxville in 2009. (source: Wikipedia)

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