Thomas J. Hennen (bishop)

For the astronaut, see Thomas J. Hennen (astronaut).
Reverend

Thomas Joseph Hennen
Bishop-elect of Baker
ChurchCatholic Church
DioceseDavenport
AppointedJuly 10, 2025
Orders
OrdinationJuly 10, 2004
by William Edwin Franklin
Personal details
Born (1978-07-04) July 4, 1978
Ottumwa, Iowa, US
Alma materSt. Ambrose University
Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Alphonsian Academy

Thomas Joseph Hennen (born July 4, 1978) is an American priest of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa. On July 10, 2025, Pope Leo XIV named him the seventh Bishop of Baker, Oregon.

Biography

Early life and education

Thomas Hennen was born on July 4, 1978, in Ottumwa, Iowa to John and Jo’An Hennen. He is the youngest of 11 children.[1] He received a bachelor's degree in history and philosophy from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.[2] Hennen studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and earned a bachelor of sacred theology degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2003. He earned a licentiate of sacred theology in 2005 from the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy, also in Rome.

Priesthood

Hennen was ordained a priest by Bishop William Franklin for the Diocese of Davenport on July 10, 2004, in Sacred Heart Cathedral.[1] His first assignment in the diocese after completing his licentiate in Rome was as parochial vicar at Prince of Peace parish in Clinton, Iowa from 2005 to 2010. He served as campus minister and parochial vicar at the Newman Center and St. Mary's parish in Iowa City, Iowa from 2010 to 2011. Hennen served as Director of Vocations for the diocese from 2011 to 2018. Within that time frame he served as chaplain and theology teacher at Assumption High School in Davenport from 2014 to 2017. In 2015, he served at Sacred Heart parish in Oxford Junction, Iowa, St. James parish in Toronto, Iowa, Sacred Heart parish in Lost Nation, Iowa and at Saints Philip and James parish in Grand Mound, Iowa. From 2017 to 2021, Hennen served as chaplain and director of campus ministry at his alma mater, St. Ambrose University. During that time he also served as parochial vicar at St. Anthony's parish in Davenport from 2017 to 2018. He became a Diocesan Consultor and the Vicar general of the diocese in 2020. From 2021 to 2025, Hennen served as priest moderator of St. Andrew parish in Blue Grass, Iowa and pastor and rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport.[2]

In addition to his pastoral and administrative assignments, Hennen served on a committee established by Bishop Thomas Zinkula that drafted a diocesan policy regarding sexual and gender identity issues.[1] Beginning in January 2023, he wrote the Question Box column for the diocesan paper, The Catholic Messenger.[3]

Bishop of Baker

On July 10, 2025, Pope Leo XIV named Hennen the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Baker.[1][2] Upon his episcopal ordination, scheduled for September 29, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Bend, Oregon,[4] he becomes the youngest bishop to lead a U.S. diocese.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Davenport vicar general Father Thomas Hennen appointed bishop of Baker, Ore". OSV News. July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop Liam Cary of the Diocese of Baker; Appoints Rev. Thomas Hennen as Successor". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "At 47, Pope Leo's pick to lead Oregon diocese will be youngest U.S. bishop". America. OSV News. July 11, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  4. ^ "Welcome Bishop-Elect Thomas Hennen!". Diocese of Baker. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
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