Habemus archiepiscopum coadiutorium!

We've been praying over this in our Archdiocese for a long time. My prediction on the range of reaction to the news, reading left to right:

"The end of civilization as we know it"
to "the coming of the Kingdom."

From my vantage point: the truth is out there, somewhere in the middle, slightly to the right of center.

Details on the appointment from one of my favorite newsletters, Got Culture?:

This is a week not only of goings but also of comings.

His Holiness Benedict XVI has named the Most Reverend John Clayton Nienstedt as coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The appointment is immediate. Archbishop Nienstedt, formerly bishop of New Ulm, will serve as coadjutor ("helper") archbishop until the Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn retires, presumably upon his 75th birthday, May 2, 2008. At that time, Archbishop Nienstedt will succeed Archbishop Flynn.

A press conference is scheduled later this morning. See the links below for more information.

Announcement of the nomination (Holy See Press Office, in Italian)
Biography, curriculum vitae, and statements (Diocese of New Ulm)
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (I'm sure a web posting will follow the press conference)
More news (Ray Marshall's Stella Borealis Catholic Roundtable blog)

May God grant him many years!

Please pray for our bishops -- Archbishop Nienstedt as well as Archbishop Flynn and Bishop Pates.

God, eternal shepherd,
You tend Your Church in many ways and rule us with love.
You have chosen Your servant, John, to be a shepherd of Your flock.
Give him a spirit of courage and right judgment,
a spirit of knowledge and love.
By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
may he build Your Church as a sign of salvation for the world.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.