Father Francis J. Hoffman named director of Our Lady of Champion shrine

Bishop David L. Ricken named Father Francis J. Hoffman president and rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. The announcement, made in a letter to the faithful dated Sept. 22 and released Oct. 2, identifies Father Hoffman, an Opus Dei priest known as Father Rocky, as the new leader of the Wisconsin shrine.

Father Hoffman will continue his current work as chairman and CEO of Relevant Radio while overseeing the shrine's strategy. He succeeds Father Tony Stephens, a member of the Fathers of Mercy, who will remain at the shrine to direct sacramental life and pastoral care. Bishop Ricken stated that Father Stephens and other priests from the Fathers of Mercy will continue to celebrate Mass, hear confessions, and guide liturgies at the site.

The shrine in Champion, Wisconsin, commemorates the 1859 appearances of the Virgin Mary to Adele Brice. Bishop Ricken formally opened the canonization cause for Brice in January.