Pope Appoints New Bishop in Helena, Community Faces Leadership Transition

Pope Francis has named Father Austin Anthony Vetter as the eleventh Bishop of Helena, the Diocese of Helena announced this week. The appointment follows a prolonged interim period after Bishop George Thomas left for Las Vegas in 2018, with Monsignor Kevin O’Neill serving as diocesan administrator until a permanent successor could be named. An ordination mass for Bishop elect Vetter is scheduled at the Cathedral of St. Helena on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Father Vetter comes to Helena from Bismarck, North Dakota, where he served as Rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bismarck in 1993, and his academic formation includes a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and graduate study at the Pontifical North American College and the Angelicum, the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, in Rome. Church leaders in Helena welcomed the announcement and described Vetter as a pastoral leader who will "walk beside" the faithful as he learns the local community.

Diocesan episcopal appointments have practical implications for parishes and county residents. The bishop oversees clergy assignments, parish consolidations, diocesan schools, and faith based nonprofits that deliver social services and emergency assistance. In Lewis and Clark County, the bishop's priorities can influence the operation of Catholic schools, charity networks that serve low income residents, and interfaith collaboration on local issues such as homelessness and substance use response. The new bishop's initial approach, centered on listening and learning, suggests an emphasis on relationship building before setting policy priorities for the diocese.

The administrative gap since 2018 has left local church governance under temporary leadership for several years, a period that can complicate long term planning and capital projects. A permanent bishop enables the diocese to move forward with strategic decisions about parish resources, clergy support, and diocesan financial stewardship. For parishioners and civic partners, a clear timeline for diocesan direction may affect volunteer mobilization, program funding, and coordination with county services.

Vetter's Roman theological education and decades of pastoral experience position him to engage with both canonical responsibilities and community needs. Observers in civic life will watch how the new bishop addresses diocesan priorities while interacting with local government agencies and nonreligious service providers. His stated intention to learn the history and meet people in the diocese indicates an approach that could shape future collaboration between the church and county institutions.

The ordination mass at the Cathedral of St. Helena on Nov. 20 will formally install Vetter as bishop and begin a new chapter in diocesan leadership. Parishioners, civic leaders, and service organizations in Lewis and Clark County will now look to the incoming bishop for guidance on pastoral care and community engagement in the years ahead.