Please pray for Bishop Richard Stika

Knoxville Bishop Richard Stika hospitalized following "sudden illness"

Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika was hospitalized following a "sudden illness" this weekend while he was out of town, the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville said in a news release late Sunday night.

The bishop was in stable condition, and was "responsive and doing well," according to diocese spokeswoman Mary Weaver.

Bishop Stika's illness was brought on by a chronic medical condition, Weaver said. She did not elaborate about the nature of the bishop's symptoms.

He was traveling to visit a sick friend when he fell ill and was admitted to a hospital, Weaver said. The news release did not include the bishop's location.

Father Ragan Schriver of Catholic Charities told 10News Bishop Stika suffers from diabetes, but he did not know if that played a role in the sudden illness.

"The Diocese of Knoxville is asking all of the faithful to join together in prayer for their new shepherd," Weaver said.

Bishop Stika was ordained in March. He is the diocese's third bishop.

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"Please begin praying immediately for the health and recovery of Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville. While in Florida Bishop Sitka suffered a massive heart attack, his kidneys are failing and his sugar count is over 1000."

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