Former Knoxville Bishop Richard Stika Dies at 68

Stika served as bishop from 2009 until his resignation in 2023 amid public scrutiny.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Richard F. Stika, the former Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee, has died at the age of 68. Stika served as bishop from 2009 to 2023, overseeing the construction of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville in 2018. However, his tenure was marked by public scrutiny, with priests in the diocese accusing him of being manipulative. Stika's time as bishop came to an end when he intervened in the investigation of a seminarian accused of harassment and rape. In his resignation announcement, Stika cited the public criticism he faced as affecting him physically and emotionally.

Why it matters

Stika's death marks the end of a tumultuous period for the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, which saw the bishop's leadership come under intense public scrutiny. His handling of the investigation into the seminarian accused of misconduct was particularly controversial and led to his eventual resignation.

The details

During his 14-year tenure as bishop, Stika oversaw the funding and construction of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville in 2018. However, his time as bishop was also marked by public criticism, with priests in the diocese accusing him of being manipulative. Stika's tenure came to a head when he intervened in the investigation of a seminarian who was accused of harassment and rape.

  • Stika served as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville from 2009 to 2023.
  • The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville was completed in 2018 during Stika's tenure.
  • Stika resigned as bishop in 2023 amid the public scrutiny and controversy surrounding his handling of the investigation into the seminarian accused of misconduct.
  • Stika passed away on February 18, 2026 at the age of 68.

The players

Richard F. Stika

The former Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee, who served in that role from 2009 until his resignation in 2023.

Catholic Diocese of Knoxville

The Catholic diocese that oversees the Chattanooga region of Tennessee, which Stika led as bishop from 2009 to 2023.

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The takeaway

Stika's death marks the end of a tumultuous period for the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, which saw the bishop's leadership come under intense public scrutiny during his 14-year tenure. His handling of the investigation into the seminarian accused of misconduct was particularly controversial and led to his eventual resignation in 2023.