300 parishioners witness installation of Belleville's bishop

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - The ninth bishop in the 133-year history of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville was ordained and installed Wednesday.

The Rev. Michael G. McGovern replaced Bishop Edward K. Braxton, who was elevated to the post in 2005. Chicago's archbishop, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, officiated during the installation.

The number of people to witness McGovern's installation at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville was limited to 300 people.

'œUsually at the installation of a Bishop, there is a bigger crowd and larger luncheon,'ť diocese spokesman Monsignor John T. Myler told the Belleville News-Democrat. 'œBut this is being done modestly because of the pandemic, and because (McGovern) is aware of the financial strains that many of our people and families are feeling these days.'ť

McGovern, 56, grew up on Chicago's South Side and was ordained a priest in 1994.

The Belleville diocese, established in 1887, serves about 70,000 Catholics in more than 100 parishes in 28 counties in Southern Illinois.

___

This story has been corrected to show Braxton was installed as bishop in 2005, not 2015.