Peter F. Christensen

His Excellency, The Most Reverend
Peter Forsyth Christensen
Bishop of Boise
Church Catholic Church
Archdiocese Portland
Diocese Boise
Appointed November 4, 2014
Installed December 17, 2014
Predecessor Michael Patrick Driscoll
Orders
Ordination May 25, 1985
by John Roach
Consecration September 14, 2007
by Harry Joseph Flynn, Raphael Michael Fliss, and William Henry Bullock
Personal details
Born (1952-12-24) December 24, 1952
Altadena, California
Denomination Roman Catholic Church
Residence Boise, Idaho
Parents Robert and Ann (née Forsyth) Christensen
Occupation Catholic bishop
Alma mater University of St. Thomas, and Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Motto TU ES CHRISTUS FILIUS DEI VIVI
Styles of
Peter Forsyth Christensen
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Bishop

Peter Forsyth Christensen (born December 24, 1952) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who serves as bishop of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho.

On November 4, 2014, Pope Francis named Christensen the eighth bishop in the Diocese of Boise, Idaho. He was installed as bishop in Boise on December 17, 2014, at St. John's Cathedral.[1]

Biography

Early life and education

Born in Altadena, California, he was the fourth of eight children[2][3] born to Robert and Ann (née Forsyth) Christensen. The family later moved to Palos Verdes, and in 1964, Robert and Ann obtained a divorce. Christensen attended Palos Verdes High School.

He moved to Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1975 and there studied at the University of St. Thomas, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in art history. Christensen then worked as a graphic designer before entering St. Paul Seminary in 1981. During his seminary education, he studied in Israel for a semester.

Ordination and ministry

Christensen was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John Roach on May 25, 1985, and then served as assistant pastor of St. Olaf parish in Minneapolis before becoming spiritual director (1989) and rector (1992) of the archdiocesan minor seminary until 1995.

In June 1999, he was made pastor of Nativity of Our Lord parish in St. Paul, where he continued traditional practices, such as perpetual Eucharistic adoration. He also reconstructed the church and rectory.

Bishop of Superior, Wisconsin

On June 28, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named Christensen Bishop of Superior, Wisconsin. After receiving a telephone call from Archbishop Pietro Sambi bringing news of his appointment, he "sobbed for about 15 minutes" as he had not sought the episcopal office.[4] During a press conference, Christensen promised to be a "good listener" in his new role as bishop.[3] Christensen received his episcopal consecration at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 14, 2007, and was installed as Bishop of Superior on September 23, 2007.

Christensen joined with other Wisconsin bishops in issuing a warning against the use of POLST, Physician (or Provider) Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, in a statement published Wednesday, July 25, 2012. In “Upholding the Dignity of Human Life,” the bishops wrote that the use of POLST has grave implications for the dignity of human life and they “encourage all Catholics to avoid using all such documents, programs and materials.” In January 2014, Christensen announced that Common Core would not be allowed in the Catholic schools of his diocese.

Bishop of Boise, Idaho

On November 4, 2014, Christensen was named the new bishop of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho. He was installed as the eighth bishop of Boise on December 17, 2014, in St. John's Cathedral.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise". November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  2. ↑ Leibowitz's Canticle. Soon to be: His Eminence, Bishop Peter F. Christensen June 30, 2007
  3. 1 2 Catholic Herald. Christensen named Fliss' successor
  4. ↑ Duluth News Tribune. St. Paul priest chosen to take over Superior diocese June 29, 2007
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Michael Patrick Driscoll		 Bishop of Boise
2014–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Raphael Michael Fliss		 Bishop of Superior
2007–2014 		Succeeded by
James Patrick Powers
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