Bishop Gainer of Lexington named Bishop of Harrisburg, PA

Pope Francis has named the Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer as the new bishop of Harrisburg.

Gainer, 66, succeeds Bishop Joseph McFadden, who died May 2, 2013.

Gainer has been the bishop of Lexington, Ky., since 2003, the diocese said. He is a native of Pottsville and was ordained as a priest in Allentown in 1973.

He has served in a variety of positions in the church, including work in parishes, campus ministry, marriage and family offices and tribunal positions, the diocese said. He is a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Administrative Committee and Committee on Priorities and Planning.

Gainer will be installed as bishop of Harrisburg March 19.