WASHINGTON (August 31, 2006)—Pope Benedict XVI appointed Monsignor Paul J. Swain, Vicar General of the Diocese of Madison, as Bishop of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Bishop-designate Swain succeeds Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson who was appointed Bishop of Saginaw in December, 2004.

Msgr. Martin Krebs, Charge d'Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, announced the appointment.

Paul J. Swain earned a B.A. in History at Ohio Northern University, a Master of Arts in Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, a doctorate in law at the University of Wisconsin Law School, and a Master of Divinity degree at Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, MA.

He is a veteran of the Vietnam War, awarded the Bronze Star, and was a practicing attorney in Madison for three years.

Ordained a priest of the Madison diocese on May 27, 1988, he has been associate pastor, pastor, priest-secretary to Bishop William H. Bullock, Vice Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia. He currently serves as pastor of St. Bernard parish, Middleton, in addition to his work as Vicar General.

Established in 1889, the Diocese of Sioux Falls comprises that part of the State of South Dakota east of the Missouri River. It has a Catholic population of approximately 129,000 in a total population of about 524,000.

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