Nickless has a reputation for being quietly effective, according to those who have worked closely with him in Denver.
"He is just a very gentle spirit," said Marie Sailas, who was Nickless' administrative assistant when he was vicar for clergy and seminarians. "I knew a long time ago he was bishop material. When I told him, he would just shrug his shoulders. To me, this is an answered prayer."
The Rev. Kevin Augustyn served as associate pastor under Nickless at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. The bishop-elect set a good example as a prayerful priest and as a leader, Augustyn said.
"As vicar of clergy, he represented the bishop to priests in good and bad times," he said. "He has a lot of experience with supporting priests but also with disciplining them."
Father Augustyn's words along with the mention of Monsignor Nickless' response to the crisis in Denver are in the past, according to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests:
The Iowa chapter of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests urged Nickless to make the protecting of children his top priority and to be open and honest with parishioners and the public about sexual misconduct in the church.
"We wish the bishop-elect well, but tangible actions will gain him respect from those who were betrayed by Catholic clergy," said Steve Theisen, Iowa SNAP director.
Read the complete article Denver priest named bishop of Sioux City after long wait from Des Moines Register.com.
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