Effective on July 1, 2020, the Most Rev. David A. Konderla, Bishop of Tulsa, has announced today the following priestly assignments in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma:

Bishop David Konderla will join the bishops of the Unites States in reconsecrating the U.S. to the care of our Blessed Mother on Sunday, May 1, 2020 at the noon Mass at Holy Family Cathedral.

The Serra Club of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma asks that you remember World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be observed on Sunday, May 3, 2020, also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday."  The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2).  Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes. The following is a beautiful prayer for vocations from the USCCB.

Bishop David Konderla released a new letter today to the people of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

           Early in the morning, while it was still dark… I’m a morning person as I’m sure many of you are and the great thing about the early morning is that it’s quiet; it’s a time for reflection, a time for prayer, a time for thinking.  If you use your mind’s eye, with the Gospel you can see, perhaps, Mary walking along early in the morning, Mary from Magdala. 

It is with sadness and prayerful concern that the Catholic community has witnessed the continued rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 infections and deaths. We stand in solidarity with the rest of the people of our state in trying to bring this pandemic to a rapid end. To that end, city and state officials have found it necessary to extend various restrictions in order to keep residents safe. With great sadness, this means that we will have to extend our current practice of celebrating Mass without the physical presence of the faithful until April 24, 2020. Until that date, no one is allowed to host gatherings of more than ten people and in various places in the state and diocese, the restriction is even tighter.

Bishop Konderal issues an official decree today suspending all public Masses and liturgies throughout the Diocese of Tulsa beginning Friday, March 20, 2020 until Wednesday April 8, 2020.

El Señor nos vuelve a conceder este año un tiempo propicio para prepararnos a celebrar con el corazón renovado el gran Misterio de la muerte y resurrección de Jesús, fundamento de la vida cristiana personal y comunitaria. Debemos volver continuamente a este Misterio, con la mente y con el corazón. De hecho, este Misterio no deja de crecer en nosotros en la medida en que nos dejamos involucrar por su dinamismo espiritual y lo abrazamos, respondiendo de modo libre y generoso.

This year the Lord grants us, once again, a favourable time to prepare to celebrate with renewed hearts the great mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of our personal and communal Christian life. We must continually return to this mystery in mind and heart, for it will continue to grow within us in the measure that we are open to its spiritual power and respond with freedom and generosity.

Harrison Garlick. Chancellor and In-House Counsel for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, announced today that Bishop Konderla, in consultation with a diocesan search committee, has hired Dr. Christine Myers as the new Director of Religious Formation for the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma.

In his letter promulgating the Policies & Procedures for the Protection of Children & Young People (“Policies”), Bishop David Konderla states, “Our children, youth, and vulnerable adults are treasures to the Church, and as such the Diocese of Tulsa has a sacred obligation to protect them.” As part of that obligation and in adherence to the Policies, in May 2019, Bishop Konderla opened a preliminary investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse against a minor lodged against Father Joe Townsend, a priest of the Diocese of Tulsa.

On July 5, 2019, the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma (“Diocese”) announced that Father Joe Townsend, a priest of the Diocese, had been placed on administrative leave due to a non-frivolous allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor. After several weeks, the still ongoing third-party investigation has provided the Diocese with a better understanding of the allegation lodged against Father Townsend and what needs to be done to proceed with the investigation.

At 3pm today, Harrison Garlick, Chancellor & In-House Counsel for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma released the following memo: As the head of the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma ("Diocese"), Bishop Konderla is fully committed to the Policies & Procedures for the Protection of Children & Young People ("Policies"). As part of that commitment, Bishop Konderla has placed Father Joe Townsend, a priest of the Diocese, on administrative leave due to a non-frivolous allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Bishop David Konderla announces second round of new priest assignments as well as the reestablisment of vicariates and the according assignments of priests to serve as Vicars Forane in addition to their present duties.

Today, Bishop David Konderla announced the following priest assignments to be effective on July 15, 2019: