The diocesan College of Consultors met today, Nov. 6, in St. John Vianney Church in Mountain View and elected Msgr. Thomas E. Reidy as the Diocesan Administrator for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. With the installation of Bishop James V. Johnston as Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has been considered a “vacant see.” The consultors had eight days from the vacancy to elect and name an Administrator.

A priest and pastor for 48 years, Chicago native Msgr. Reidy was ordained a priest in 1967 in the Cathedral of St. Raymond, Joliet, IL, for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. In 1972, Msgr. Reidy was appointed Vice Chancellor of the Diocese and Assistant Director of the Sacred Heart House of Studies and minor seminary located in Springfield.

In 1974, Msgr. Reidy was named Chancellor; in 1984, Vicar General. Msgr. Reidy has served as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Springfield, since 2004, and pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Nixa, since 2011.

On Sept. 15, 2015, at the announcement of Bishop Johnston’s appointment as Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the office of Vicar General has been vacant. He has continued to serve as Chancellor.

This isn’t the first time Msgr. Reidy has been Administrator for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The College of Consultors elected him Diocesan Administrator on March 26, 1984, after then-Bishop Bernard Law was installed as Archbishop of Boston on March 23, 1984. Msgr. Reidy served as Administrator until the episcopal ordination and installation of John J. Leibrecht as the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau on Dec. 12, 1984.

In addition to Msgr. Reidy, Chancellor, the diocesan College of Consultors are: Fr. David Dohogne, Fr. J. Friedel, Fr. Hank Grodecki, CM, Fr. David Hulshof, Fr. Tom Kiefer, and Fr. Allan Saunders.