LINCOLN (SNR) – The Diocese of Lincoln announced Nov. 12 that Pope Francis authorized Bishop James Conley to resume leadership of the diocese, effective Nov. 13.
Conley took a medical leave of absence Dec. 13, 2019, after being medically diagnosed with depression and anxiety, along with chronic insomnia and debilitating tinnitus, a constant ringing of the ears.
“My doctors encouraged me to take the time to receive more concentrated medical and psychological treatment,” he explained, “and to get some much-needed rest.”
Over the past 11 months, the bishop said he received “wonderful care from my spiritual director, mental health professionals, and medical doctors, along with the loving support and prayers of my family, my brother bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful.”
Through their help, he said, he was able to arrive at a “positive path forward with more balance in my life, which, I pray, will allow me to serve the Diocese of Lincoln in a greater way.”
The bishop shared the news in a letter to the faithful “with great joy” and looked forward to resuming his duties.
“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we live in uncertain and unprecedented times, times when many have lost hope,” he said. “While it pained me to be away this long from my flock – the good people of the Diocese of Lincoln – I am eager to preach the message of Christian hope during these difficult times.”
Before going on medical leave, he said, he tried to overcome the depression and anxiety on his own.
“I’ve learned that this is simply not possible,” he wrote in a letter to the people of the diocese. “Mental health problems are real health problems. And as with any illness, you cannot fix it yourself; you need the care of others.”
He added that he hoped his own struggles would “help lift the stigma of mental health issues, and show that there is light at the end of the tunnel for those who suffer from mental illness.”
In Bishop Conley’s absence, Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha served as apostolic administrator. In a letter announcing Bishop Conley’s return, he thanked the people of the diocese.
“While my efforts in the diocese have necessarily been somewhat limited during the past 11 months,” he wrote, “your kindness to me has been bountiful. The support of your prayers has meant a great deal to me.
“I look forward, along with Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt (of Grand Island), to once again working with Bishop Conley, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ here in Nebraska.”
The Diocese of Lincoln serves more than 90,000 Catholics in southern Nebraska, in more than 130 parishes.
