Catholic Leadership Institute celebrated the 19th Good Leaders, Good Shepherds graduation with 31 priest from the Diocese of Bismarck, ND. Over 80% of the Bismarck presbyterate, which serves 62,000 Catholics, was enrolled in the leadership curriculum.
“I am proud of the priests who have chosen to participate in Good Leaders, Good Shepherds. I am convinced that it will help to revitalize their priesthood and the people of God in Bismarck will benefit greatly,” said Bishop Paul Zipfel, who celebrated the evening with his men. The Governor of North Dakota, John Hoeven, was also in attendance for the celebration. Hoeven recently heard about the program in his home diocese and was impressed with the good work of the participating priests. He offered a brief address to the men, commenting on the “remarkable commitment they (the priests) made to the two-year formation process.” Hoeven, a life-long Catholic, also took the time to express his gratitude to the men for the impact they have had in his life. “The leadership that you provide is and has been so profound in my life, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Along with the Diocese of Bismarck an additional six cohorts completed the leadership program in January and February, bringing the total number of graduated participants to 600 priests.
The Institute is also pleased to announce that three more dioceses will begin Good Leaders, Good Shepherds. The Dioceses of Winona, MN, Madison, WI and Arlington, VA will begin their two-year journeys this spring. With the addition of these dioceses, Catholic Leadership Institute is actively present in 43 dioceses, serving over 1,200 priests nationwide and abroad.
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