Twin Cities priest named bishop of Duluth

Twin Cities priest named bishop of Duluth just months after another big promotion.

Star Tribune

Last update: October 15, 2009 - 10:34 PM

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The rev. Paul sirba to be duluth bishop

A longtime Twin Cities priest was named the bishop of the Diocese of Duluth on Thursday. It is the second promotion in less than four months for the Rev. Paul Sirba, who was named on July 1 moderator of the curia and vicar general of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Sirba, 49, is a native of Bloomington whose roots run throughout the Twin Cities. He graduated from the Academy of Holy Angels, the then-College of St. Thomas and the St. Paul Seminary. His pastoral assignments included St. Olaf Church in downtown Minneapolis, the Church of St. John the Baptist in Savage and Maternity of the Blessed Virgin in St. Paul. In 2006, he was named spiritual director at the seminary, the post he held until July.

In a prepared statement, Archbishop John Neinstedt expressed his office's "collective joy" at Sirba's appointment. During his 23 years as a priest, Sirba has "served with great distinction," Nienstedt said. "He is held in high esteem by the clergy of this local church."

Sirba is replacing Bishop Dennis Schnurr, who left to become archbishop of Cincinnati.

Among some familiar faces Sirba will see in his new diocese will be that of his brother. The Rev. Joseph Sirba is pastor of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Longville.

JEFF STRICKLER